Emma thinks Townsend's initial refusal to get involved makes him a supporter of slavery. Do you agree?

Emma thinks Townsend's initial refusal to get involved makes him a supporter of slavery. Do you agree?

Do I believe Emma thinks his initial refusal to get involved makes him pro slavery, yes, I agree that she did believe that. But she didn't understand. First of all, she believed he supported slavery because he was a blockade runner...but there was a valid reason for that -- otherwise he would have been put to death. Secondly, he was stunned when Savage proposed he become a spy. ("His head was spinning.") He had no desire to become a spy and hesitated at first. She was willful and wanted/expected him to jump on board without a second thought.

I agree with Cynthia. Emma thought it was choice that was simple to make.

Townsend's ideas about slavery were naive until he was confronted with the reality of it, until he realized his own family was complicit. He saw it in all its ugliness. I think his growing knowledge based on his experience is really the major theme of the novel. Do others agree?

First of all, I keep getting back to the fact that Townsend was only 19. It seems crazy that he was so you and so much was placed on his plate. Emma should have known that just because Townsend didn't want to get involved did not mean he was a supporter of slavery, most people do not get involved, especially when they are already in a compromised situation, never mind had just gotten out of jail, etc. her character seemed to jump to all kinds of conclusions, and she was not the best listener!

Not at law. The instinct for survival is strong. Townsend was caught in the proverbial rock/ hard place scenario. What would I have done in a similar situation? I don’t rightly know.

I think Townsend was too young to handle a complicated situation that he did not understand. Emma didn’t process information well and didn’t understand.

Absolutely! In my book, silence is acceptance.

I think she thought so at first, but then I found her character to be a sort of cut and dried kind of personality with very little room for seeing both sides of any particular issue.

I'm confused a bit by the question. I don't think he was a supporter of slavery but I do think her drawing that conclusion was reasonable.

Pink Lady! Right on! He wasn't a supporter. She didn't get it. The story evolves and the characters develop and we find the real reasons along with them. Therefore: it's a great book!

Emma had a very simple, immature concept of the world. She did not understand the position in which Townsend was caught.