Letter To My Old Master John Anderson Analysis

According to Jourdon Anderson‘s “Letter To My Old Master” (Anderson, J. 1969), slavery and lingering racism were extreme in the 1800s. The end of the Civil War, however, attempted to address some social concerns of the freed slaves, with efforts to make blacks economically independent. Former slave owners demanded services from their old slaves on personal consent, the promising better treatment.
Colonel P.H. Anderson wrote to his former slave Jourdon Anderson requesting Jourdon to return to the plantation to help restore the farm after the disarray of the war. In his response, Jourdon Anderson, having been among the slaves freed by the 13th Amendment and some other means, and now lives in Ohio with his family, addresses several issues of slavery in the America in the 1800s.

From this letter, it is clear that slaves disliked being under the control of their white master.

They were regularly threatened, beaten and even killed. Jourdon faces at least two incidences of shooting threats when his master shot at him. At a point, he was saved by a George from shot by Colonel.
Characterized by poor master-servant relationship, there no mutual trust established. When Colonel P.H. promises better treatment to his former slave if he resumed service, Jourdon and Mindy are demand pay for their unpaid services, full with interests, as a proof of promise.
Furthermore, plantation owners formerly would not pay slaves. Thus, to Jourdon, money would indicate mutual trust. Nevertheless, slave-owners provided clothing and health-care services. Colonel P.H paid for his servants’ clothing and doctor’s visits (Anderson, J. 1969). Three doctor’s visits during a thirty year service period, however, appear unsatisfactory.
Initially, there was no education for the slaves. No school was opened to the colored people in Tennessee. Jourdon is sensitive on this as he is focused on educating his

children.
Racial discrimination and insecurity were familiar. The daughters of slaves suffered the violence of sexual harassments from young masters. Jourdon demands the guarantee of safety of his daughters before moving back. A man called Henry even intended to shoot Jourdon if he had the chance, making Jourdon lives in fear.
Jourdon describes a better life in Ohio at the end of the civil war -which marked a period of revolution to the former slaves. The newly freed slaves got paid, were kindly treated and had an education. They now acted bravely but with diplomacy and caution.
In their new life, the former slaves now had comfortable homes. They also participated in church services. Their kids attended Sunday-school and their teachers were keen to identify the kids’ different gifts. Their association with whites had improved. Jourdon mentions to his former master the new title of his wife Mandy. She is referred to as Mrs. Anderson, a title which seems impressive to Jourdon.
According to Jourdon’s daughter’s reactions to some White men’s remarks, it is clear that the colored people hated the low opinion which the whites had concerning them. In the view of the whites in Ohio, colored people in their neighborhoods were slaves from Tennessee, an opinion hurting to the daughters.
Despite mistreatments, slaves were loyal to their masters. Jourdon uses his diplomatic skills to ensure his loyalty to his master. Colonel P.H shot at Jourdon twice while he served him, yet Jourdon did not want to hear him hurt (Anderson, J. 1969).
In conclusion, this historical document shows the life of slaves in 1800s as full of discrimination and injustices until late 1860s when the 13th amendment set the captives free