The Plantation
The plantation in Barbados where Black is brought up represents the horrors of slavery. The plantation is headed by a cruel slavemaster called Erasmus, whose sadistic behavior symbolizes the brutalities inflicted by slavemasters before the abolition of slavery.
Writing and drawing
When Black is promoted to be Titch's assistant, he is afraid of the cruelties he might inflict. However, Titch actually uses their time together to teach Black how to read, write, and paint. This represents an opportunity for Black to develop and learn skills that will help him survive on the outside, and also represents an escape from the hardships of slavery.
Titch
Titch represents abolitionists, who are working towards abolishing slavery. He is kind to Black, teaching him how to read and write under the guise of offering him a job as an assistant. However, later in the text, Black doubts Titch's commitment to the cause, saying:
“You took me on because I was helpful in your political cause. Because I could aid in your experiments. Beyond that, I was of no use to you, and so you abandoned me... I was nothing to you. You never saw me as equal. You were more concerned that slavery should be a moral stain upon white men than by the actual damage it wreaks on black men.”
