"A Mercy" by Toni Morrison

“A Mercy,” by Toni Morrison, is a recently published novel (2008) set in America (mostly Virginia) during the late 17th century. Differing from most of the African American literature we have read thus far in this class, “A Mercy” is set during the early America when the slave trade was first beginning to boom. It was during this time that racial hatred began to sink its roots deep into America’s soil and where a woman, no matter what race she is, is completely at the mercy of the men surrounding her life.
Written in multiple first person point of view, Morrison brings her reader into the minds of several interesting characters: Jacob, a trader who sets out believing in hard-work and the honor in running a farm only to be sucked into the Sugar/Rum trade that relies on the sweat of the very institution he used to disagree with--slavery. Rebekka, the bride Jacob sends for from England, who suffers the loss of child after child. Lina, a Native American woman who witnessed smallpox wipe out her entire tribe. Florens, a young African slave Jacob receives as repayment for a debt and who is yearning to be loved. Florens mother, who pleads for her daughter to be taken in order for her to escape the lustful wrath of her current master. Finally, Sorrow, an initially mentally unstable girl from her past at sea that was ended by a terrible shipwreck and was eventually taken in by Jacob as a servant. Each character has his or her own voice and through their stories Morrison paints the tale of early America where race divisions were beginning to take root and blossom like ugly weeds.
Although Morrison skims the surface describing the horrors of slavery, how she weaves together the stories of the women in “A Mercy” and is able to demonstrate that no matter what the race, women in early America were completely dependent upon and at the mercy of the men surrounding them and in their lives. As Rebekka puts it as she is describing her voyage to America in the sterrage of a ship with women ranging from prostitutes to brides, “they had everything in common with one thing: the promise and threat of me” (98). Ruled by the men they work for, whether husband or bed-partner, the women are completely dependent on the gender that runs society. Florens’ mother, enslaved and abused by men, begs for Florens to be taken away so that she may have the chance to escape the world she herself is caught in. Lina was beaten by a “lover” at one time, yet describes it as acceptable passed 9PM in society. Florens pines after the love of a free black man only to find that he does not want her and thinks her only as a slave. When Jacob dies of “the pox,” Rebekka, Lina and Florens are faced with a wilderness and world that could take advantage of them at any turn.
The different voices of the characters, from Florens short, disconnected thoughts to Sorrow’s talking to “Twin,” her imaginary friend, made “A Mercy” an interesting read. This novel could not only be useful in this class but also in any class on gender in society or race relations in general.