Why do you think their former mistress gives Margot and Veronique a Bible and a ham after they are sold. What did you think about the slaves' reaction?

As Margot and Veronique are being taken away by wagon after being sold, their former mistress gives them a Bible and a ham. Why do you think the woman did this, and why did she choose these particular gifts? What did you think about the slaves' reaction?

I think she did this to ease her conscience for selling them when they'd been promised freedom. The Bible represented some kind of Christian effort to guide them and the ham was probably a special gift to give to a slave. She was just trying to ease her own guilt. Good for Margot and Veronique for throwing the items back at the mistress. It was a symbol of power in their helplessness.

They probably thought they were doing the “Christian” thing by giving them a bible. They were also trying to assuage their guilt in some fashion.

Both the Bible and the ham would have helped them them later. It was a rash decision like a slap in the face but not a wise one.

I think, as others mentioned it was meant to assuage her own guilt for selling them. Later, Margot chastises herself "What fools! To throw perfectly good meat into the street ." It is notable that they felt no such regret for dispensing of the Bible by hitting their mistress in the shoulder with it. I actually thought it was a fitting catharsis for Margot and Veronique to have some way of expressing their fury, disrespect and disgust with mistress Hannigan.

I agree with the answers above, especially the fact that they could have used the food later. It may feel good in the moment to do something for pride, but being practical has its merits. People always try to impose their beliefs (religious and other) on others, believing their way is better/best - and yet the Bible says that one should accept others, not convert them!

I agree with other posts. The former Mistress was trying to ease her guilt for having sold them. I was very proud of Margot and Veronique for throwing the Bible and ham back at her. I think they thought they would rather be hungry than keep the ham. As for the Bible, perhaps they felt it was an insult for her to give it to them after she sold them.

She didn't give them freedom but she gave them what she had left which was an insult to Margot and Veronique

Yes to all of the other responses. It was a way for her to feel better about herself and had nothing to do with Margot or Veronique. Their response was a perfect rebuke to her self-righteousness.

I would have kept the ham.

I think the Bible was given as fake encouragement for them to have faith in God. The ham was a form of redemption for breaking her promise. I think their reaction was a strong statement that even though they were slaves the understood what she promised them and a Bible nor a ham could make up for her disloyalty.

People did not have a lot in that period of time. Two things of value were food and faith. I think the former mistress wanted the girls to have both - food to see them on their way and a Bible to maintain their faith. I believe the girls were reacting to the broken promise of giving them their freedom and refused the gifts out of hurt and the disrespect that they felt.