Themes: Freedom and Servitude
Lyddie Worthen struggles continually to define and attain personal freedom and to avoid servitude, yet she is continually pulled toward the latter no matter how she denies it, and at the end of the story, she finally realizes why.
Throughout much of the novel, Lyddie is little more than a servant. As a young girl, necessity forces her to care for her siblings and home when her mother no longer can, and she continues to struggle to maintain the farm after her mother and the younger children leave. Lyddie is essentially bound to her father’s dream and her father’s debts, but she does not realize it.
Lyddie’s sense of bondage increases when her mother hires her out to Cutler’s Tavern. As she tells Ezekial, she has no choice in the matter. She tries to insist that she is free or at least that her father is free, but she realizes even as she speaks that it is not true—she has no freedom to do what she wants or go where she wishes.
This seems to change when Mistress Cutler dismisses Lyddie and she chooses to go to Lowell. She finally feels free, but the feeling does not last long. Lyddie is soon caught up in the rules and regulations of the mill, trapped by long hours and exhausting work, all the more so as the company speeds up the machinery again and again. The other girls recognize the abjectness of their condition. “We’re all working like black slaves,” Betsy declares before she sings an old song about refusing to be a slave. And Diana warns Lyddie that it is “the nature of slavery to make the slave fear freedom.” To both of her friends, Lyddie vehemently proclaims that she is not a slave. Perhaps she is so emphatic because she is trying to convince herself more than anyone else. Deep down, Lyddie realizes that she is, in some sense, a slave, but it takes her a long time to admit it.
Finally, at the end of the story, Lyddie comes to a realization about freedom and servitude. She has indeed been a servant for a long time, but more than anything else, she has rendered herself servile by allowing others to do the same. For all this time, she has failed to recognize the truth about herself, her situation, and her lack of freedom. Now that she knows this, however, she can reach out for true freedom and for the education she now realizes she wants.
Expert Q&A
In Lyddie by Katherine Paterson, how was Lyddie similar to a slave?
Lyddie's life in Katherine Paterson's novel parallels slavery through her lack of freedom and harsh working conditions. Initially, Lyddie is forced to work at Cutler's tavern to pay off family debt, reflecting her lack of agency. She later works in a factory enduring long hours, poor conditions, and inadequate pay, akin to slavery. Despite her insistence that she is not a slave, her circumstances suggest otherwise, highlighting the exploitation similar to slavery.
Is Lyddie free?
In a legal sense, Lyddie is free, as she is not enslaved and belongs to the white European-American demographic, which was not subjected to slavery in early American society. However, as a minor, she cannot make all decisions independently. Philosophically, her concept of freedom could be influenced by religious beliefs, where debates about free will and divine determination were prevalent. Thus, Lyddie's freedom is multifaceted, involving legal, age-related, and philosophical dimensions.
What does the novel Lyddie reveal about the "factory girls" at Massachusetts textile mills?
The novel reveals that "factory girls" at Massachusetts textile mills faced harsh conditions despite earning better wages than other jobs. They endured 12-hour days, poor air quality, and health risks like lung disease and injuries from machinery. Factory management held significant power, often cutting wages and firing workers unjustly. Workers could be blacklisted for supporting labor reforms. Despite offering better pay, the mills were demanding and dangerous environments for young women.
How does Lyddie's life at the factory differ from the farm in Lyddie?
Lyddie's life at the factory differs from the farm in several ways. While both environments are isolating and dangerous, the farm's dangers are natural, like bears, whereas the factory's are man-made, stemming from unsafe working conditions. In the factory, Lyddie finds a sense of independence by advocating for workers' rights, which empowers her to eventually escape and pursue education. Despite the noise and size of the factory, Lyddie feels isolated in both settings.
Why did Lyddie have to leave her family to pay off debt?
Lyddie had to leave her family to work and pay off debts incurred by her father, who left in search of gold. Her mother initially left with most of the family, leaving Lyddie and her brother to manage the farm. After the farm was sold, Lyddie was indentured to a tavern to help repay the family's debt. She later chose factory work in the city for better earnings and to expedite debt repayment.
How did the factory in Lyddie fail to meet its workers' needs?
The factory failed to meet workers' needs by providing poor physical and emotional conditions. Physically, it was hazardous due to loud machines causing potential deafness and poor air quality leading to lung issues. Workers endured long hours with minimal breaks, leading to exhaustion and accidents. Emotionally, dissatisfaction was evident as workers risked being blacklisted to demand better conditions, indicating their unhappiness with the work environment and pay.
In Lyddie, how do the Quakers' attitudes differ from the laws? How is Lyddie similar to a slave?
The Quakers' attitudes towards slavery, as depicted in Lyddie, diverged significantly from the laws of the time, such as the Fugitive Slave Act, by actively supporting the Underground Railroad. They believed in human rights and opposed slavery, risking fines or imprisonment for aiding escaped slaves. Lyddie is similar to a slave due to her lack of autonomy and control over her life, working under harsh conditions at the mill to pay off debts and seeking financial independence.
How do factory conditions impact Lyddie and her roommates?
Conditions in the factory create physical health problems for Lyddie and her roommates while also increasing stress levels about whether or not to sign the petition.
In Lyddie, what does Diana mean by "the nature of slavery to make the slave fear freedom"?
In Lyddie, when she says that “the nature of slavery to make the slave fear freedom," Diana means that slaves and indentured servants are trained to subordinate their wills to the wills of others, so that the element of uncertainty and risk involved in being free comes to appear impossibly intimidating.
Quotes illustrating Lyddie's freedom, lack of freedom, and character traits in "Lyddie"
In Lyddie, quotes illustrating her freedom include her determination to pay off family debts and become independent: "I will not be a slave." Her lack of freedom is evident when she feels trapped by factory conditions: "We are not machines." Her resilience and determination are highlighted by: "I won't let them break me." These quotes collectively showcase her struggle and strong character.
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