Henner's Journey To America Analysis

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A young immigrant boy’s journey to freedom that ends in his ultimate right to call himself a free man. Freedom is being able to act, speak and think whatever you’d like, your actions all decided by yourself and no one else. Freedom can be shown throughout Henner’s life by the voyage that he goes through, the beatings he receives from his master and the ultimate escape he makes towards his goal of freedom. On a voyage to the new world, Henner’s mind is girded with dreams of freedom, penury instead resulting. “Storms and rough sea could sweep someone’s overboard or cause barrels, ropes, etc. to fall or entangle a person” (Grubb 1). As a rinboy, to pay for the voyage, Henner would be bought and put to work for a master. “Ships contract said
These hardships included the forced lying about the ship’s living conditions, being sold as an indentured servant to local gentry and the separation of families. Once they had arrived in PA, immigrants were forced to lie about the ship’s hovels, which included dauntingly poor living conditions. The soul-seller did not know if it was in the immigrant's’ best interest to confirm the ship’s living conditions as ideal. It was in the soul-sellers best interest however to the soul-seller told them it was theirs too. It was unfair and selfish, the immigrants unable to voice their own opinions on the voyage. “You are wise to tell him that your rations and quarters were good” (Richter 629). “Then he will… let you go to shore” (Richter 629). Immigrants who could not afford their voyage were expected to work as servants until the money was made. Upon arrival, Henner is almost immediately sold as an indentured servant to Richard Bayley, who then gave him to Miss Amity, Bayley’s relative. It is hard for someone to have felicity, when being sold. “I verily believe he is the one” (Richter 636), “Inquire what he does” (Richter 636). Forced separation was quick to take place after they arrived at the port. Christian Zerbe’s family was separated at the very beginning, proving that families were taken apart from
In the novel Henner escapes or is caught at least three times. He escapes from Miss Amity’s house, he gets caught in the town of Reading and he escapes from Reading in an attempt to make it to the Blue Mountains. Henner is upset about getting whipped for stealing food and is girding to run away to the Blue Mountains so he could be free. The only egress in the house is through the front door, so at night he makes his escape. However, on his way, he gets stopped by Master Deputy at Reading. Henner ran away because everyone deserves to be free and he wanted a chance to experience that. “Not that he would go back tonight” (Richter 649). Later, Henner is on his way to the Blue Mountains, however, he is captured, the daunting task of escaping the deputy quickly becoming present. Henner is trying to escape from servitude so he left Miss Amity’s house, but he ends up getting caught regardless, the deputy being able to identify him by the wanted ad in the papers. Henner is doing his best to be free, but obstacles just continue to stop him. “A collar and a padlock for this runaway!” the deputy ordered” (Richter 562). Henner escapes from Reading with the help of the blacksmith and makes it to the mountains which gives him felicity. Henner was caught by the sheriff, but with the help of the blacksmith, Henner is able to escape to freedom. Once he gets to the Blue Mountains he