Student Question
How did Ona Judge's slave experience in Never Caught differ in Virginia, New York, and Philadelphia?
Quick answer:
In one way, life in Virginia, Philadelphia, and New York was similar for Ona Judge in Never Caught. In all three places, she was Martha’s slave. She had to brush her hair, help her dress, and draw her bath. However, in the big cities, Ona had to handle Martha’s intense social obligations. More so, the big cities appear to have exposed Ona to anti-slavery movements. It seems like her life in the big city propelled her to find freedom.
As you probably know from having read the book, Ona Judge begins her life of slavery on the Mount Vernon plantation in Virginia. Remember, the plantation belongs to Martha and George Washington. The latter was the first President of the United States.
In the first chapter, Dunbar describes what Ona’s early life was like in Virginia. As a child, Erica Armstrong Dunbar speculates that Ona might have played with her brothers and sisters and the other children. She also surmises that Ona had to learn how to stick up for herself on the plantation. According to Dunbar, Ona probably saw her parents be physically punished. She also probably saw other children die in terrible, preventable accidents.
As for New York, as you might remember, Ona appears rather apprehensive about the move from Virginia to the big city. Although her life in Virginia was far from wonderful, it was a life...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
she was familiar with and relatively comfortable with. Dunbar infers that Ona, like Martha, had a great deal of “discontent and sorrow” over the move. Yet, unlike Martha, Ona was not supposed to express her emotions.
In New York and Philadelphia, Ona’s life, in one way, was quite similar to her life in Mount Vernon. She was still Martha’s slave. Among other duties, she had to brush Martha’s hair, prepare her bath, make her bed, and help her with her clothes.
Yet in both New York and Philadelphia, Ona appears to have been exposed to abolitionist movements and anti-slavery ideas. Her time in the big Northern cities (i.e., New York and Philadelphia) made her realize that her life could be different. She shouldn’t have to be a slave. She could be free.
Martha appears to have realized that Ona was considering such ideas. According to Dunbar, Martha “would move quickly to join her husband in New York, shielding her slaves from the contagion of liberty.”
In New York, Ona’s focus on freedom did not diminish. Though she was much busier—Martha had a demanding social calendar, as you might recall—Ona remained determined to acquire freedom.