house slaves

In a day when slavery was more overt, plantation slaves worked either house or field. House slaves were said to have the easier life. Though more available for direct abuse, the work was often cleaner and less physically demanding than field work. House slaves were more trusted. Living cheek and jowl with their owners, they had less opportunity for true independence. Their children were too often also the children of the master.

While house slaves could become masters of subtle subversion, they frequently traded loyalty for comfort. This was thought the smartest course, an unholy pact of self-interest.

Revolution usually started from the field, not the house. In fact, the master could often count on house slaves to be among his staunchest supporters and his most ruthless enforcers.

Though prisoners of comfort and favor, house slaves had much to envy in field slaves. Their literal pact with the devil was a worm in their brains which ate away their self-respect and ultimately their humanity. The field slave could remain more fully human and free, though outwardly in harsh bondage.

The house slave/field slave divisions persist to this day, not only among the descendants of slaves but of their masters as well.