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Essay On Catherine's Responsibility In A Gathering Of Days

475 Words2 Pages

“Sinned against or dangerous sinner?” In the book A Gathering of Days, Catherine struggles to decide if the slave is worth her sacrifice. Everyone agrees that Catherine did help the slave. Some people, however, believe she should help the phantom. While others believe she should not. Catherine should help the stranger in the forest for three reasons: Catherine would save his life, she thought slavery was cruel, harsh, and maleficent, and he had become her responsibility. The first reason Catherine should help the stranger is because she could save his life. New Hampshire winters are harsh and the slave had no house to call his own. Catherine was warm by the fire in her home, but the slave was in the freezing forest and would die if she did not act soon. The slave was probably hungry and needed food. The slave needed supplies and only Catherine could save him. The second reason she should help the …show more content…

Catherine and Asa were the ones who found the footprints. The slave stole her book and communicated with her. Catherine could not stop thinking about the slave saying, “I am so mindful of the stranger.” Because it was her responsibility, no one else would help the slave. Some people say Catherine should not help the slave. She had to defy the people in authority over her. While debating slavery with his brother, her father said he believed you should turn any runaway slaves into the authorities. It was against the law to help a slave. Catherine had to steal to give the slave provisions. This is inadequate because saving a life is more important than obedience. In addition, people say she should not help the slave because he was a criminal. He stole her book, stole some pies, and was opposing the peace. This is inadequate because he was only stealing for his basic needs. Also if she helped him, he would leave and stop stealing from

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