I found the first part of the story, the "preliminary facts" (640), to be a form of sarcasm towards Dick Owens seeing as the author points out it was, "the most remarkable thing he accomplished before he was twenty-five" (641). At the end of the story, I was left surprised however, I did not feel like Dick Owens had accomplished something absolutely incredible. For example, did this effort change his views on slavery and would he act on them? Did he really do this for Charity or out of the mere concept that he got what he wanted because of his economical and social position? Because the author does point out, "When asked why he never did anything serious, Dick would good-naturedly reply, with a well-modulated drawl, that he didn't have to. His father was rich...Wealth or social position he did not seek, for he was born with both" (640 bottom). Therefore, I have a hard time believing Dick Owens deserves all the credit (he does deserve some, I suppose) for the act of freeing Grandison.
I also wished to point out some of Charity Lomax's characteristics that made her comparable to Editha. Early in the story we find out she is in some way connected with Dick, but I was surprised to find out that he had courted her for over a year and she did not really take him seriously at all. Moreover, her demand, " 'I'll never love you, Dick Owens, until you have done something. When that time comes, I'll think about it.' " This statement is actually said by Charity directly to Dick where Editha thought this very idea,"She had always supposed that the man who won her would have done something to win her" (372), and did not say it directly to George even though she implied it in as many ways as he possibly could.
I completely agree that we, the readers, continue to question Dick Owens' moral attitude regarding slavery even after the story's surprise ending. His views are painfully skewed in spite of his lazy, lavish lifestyle and his intentions, misguided. Additionally, I agree with your character comparisons between Charity and Editha. Both ladies (as with Dick Owens) are ethically misguided and seek worldly changes only for their benefit. For example, Editha falsely romanticizes the war and intensely pushes George into a battle with no noble cause. Charity (ironic character name, huh?) also pushes Dick to "win her" by compelling him to free a slave - a huuge controversy at the time. While both endeavors at first appear courageous, they ultimately lack meaning due to their selfish intentions.
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