In the world that we live in today,
freedom is a value that we take for granted every day. Freedom by definition is
“the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under
restraint (Merriam 1). In the novel “The Good Lord Bird” written by James
McBride discusses the matter of human rights and how poorly African Americans
were treated in the 1800’s slave era. Two antagonists that live opposite lives,
Pie, and Sibonia also are opposite types of people. These two will go back and
fourth throughout the story, but who has more freedom? Someone who lives the
good life? Or someone who lives miserably? Since Sibonia is very low ranking
amongst her peers, and is crazy, she has more freedom than Pie, who follows the
rules, and lives the good life (McBride 166).
Pie and Sibonia are completely two
different people. Pie is considered to be beautiful, and she lives in the slave
masters house and is treated pretty well. “She was a mulatto woman. Skin as
brown as a deer’s hide (McBride 144). At this time in history, people who came
from African decent were treated inhumanely. But, for Pie, she had lucked out.
Sibonia on the other hand is so insane that no one
really bothers her. ”This child is troubled” (McBride 163). Most slaves who
acted out were usually either killed, or beaten merciless to the point that
they wanted to die. Sibonia would often act out, but due to her insanity, no
one would stop her. Sibonia had mentioned to some of her indentured peers that
she was planning a rebellion against the slave masters.
Pie, who lives in the house over hears this idea. Pie
than continues to tell her masters because Pie feels threatened by Sibonia, and
doesn’t want to lose her position with the slave masters.
Slaves never had the nerve to speak
about rebellion, let alone act out against their master’s pre civil war era. If
a slave was caught, they would be executed on sight. When Sibonia was
confronted, unlike most slaves, she took 100% of the blame. The masters were
severely concerned with how Sibonia acted towards her masters. Her masters
decided to leave her alone because she had the power to look into a white man’s
eyes and tell him she had plans to rebel. (This is equivalent to the death
penalty).
“She needs a flogging” (McBride 164). Even though she
was always threatened to be beaten, it was never followed through with. The
slave master Abby was afraid that she would fight back, and even hurt someone.
While of all of this is going on, Pie is scared that
Sibonia is going to come after her because she had told on her. Pie begins to
listen to Abby even more than she already had, and did whatever Abby wanted her
to do. Pie wants to keep her position, because at this time, no one from
African decent lived a good life. Pie on the other hand had her own room, with
nice bedding, and was fed at every meal. Pie had felt better about herself because of
her ego, and how living in the house boosted her ego.
All in all, who has more “freedom”? Even though
Sibonia might live a worse life than Pie, Sibonia is just that crazy where she
can do whatever she wants, while Pie is confined to stay in the house, and
listen to every rule that was implemented. But, does Pie have more power than
Sibonia simply because of her rank with Abby the slave master? Or does
Sibonia’s insanity overrule higher positions?
