Beloved Lesson Plan

What does Paul D. think about Mister, the rooster? How does this relate to the animal imagery already introduced in the novel, and to Paul D.'s concept of himself?

Paul D. says that Mister looked "so...free. Better than me. Stronger, tougher." He continues:

Mister was allowed to be and stay what he was. But I wasn't allowed to be and stay what I was...wasn't no way I'd ever be Paul D again, living or dead...I was something else and that something was less than a chicken sitting in the sun on a tub.

Paul D. has already compared himself and the other slaves to animals; he was forced to wear an iron bit, like a horse, and earlier, Sethe is described as being on all fours,...