True Christianity

A recurring theme in Incidents of a Slave Girl is Christianity. We see many incidents throughout the book where Whites proclaim themselves Supreme Christians. In chapter 13 The Rev.(a white man) states, "Hearken, ye servants! Give strict heed unto my words. You are rebellious sinners. Your hearts are filled with all manner evil"(68-69). The ultimate Master, in the eyes of whites, is Christ. Their attendance in the house of the Lord rids their sins and justifies their acts of cruelty; a slaveholder who buys and sells slaves and flogs them to death is forgiven for it is the will of God that places slavery in the world and it is the will of God that places the responsibility of slaves' lives in the hands of Whites. If it were not for the good-hearted white man and his reasoning that slaves need religious instructions their evil and wicked ways would never be forgiven. It is evident that those who exercise true Christianity, true common sense, and true courage are the slaves. A symbol of true Christianity is Aunt Marthy, Linda's grandmother. It is her good-willed natured, her faithful service to both her Masters and friends and family and perseverance that characterizes her as an individual who sacrifices herself for those she loves.