The Longest Memory

by

Fred D’Aguiar

Editor of The Virginian Character Analysis

Despite his pretense of promoting a balanced view on a variety of topics concern slavery, the editor of the local newspaper, The Virginian, is racist and clearly believes that blacks (especially slaves, but also free blacks in the North) are inferior to whites. He advocates protecting the economic interests of a plantation before slaves’ well-being and suggests that slaves should be seen exclusively as economic assets. On occasion, these views paradoxically exhibit a relatively progressive attitude toward slaves, as he is not opposed on principle to slaves’ literacy and prohibits any sexual act that masters might want to engage in with their slaves. These views, however, always rely on economic considerations, not on an empathetic regard for the slaves’ situations.

Editor of The Virginian Quotes in The Longest Memory

The The Longest Memory quotes below are all either spoken by Editor of The Virginian or refer to Editor of The Virginian . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Freedom vs. Obedience Theme Icon
).
Chapter 11: The Virginian Quotes

Young, nubile female slaves are a temptation to us all, but one that should be religiously avoided. […] If these female slaves are used in this way they engender bitterness in a house between the overseer and his wife or the master and his wife. The slave may even become aware of this influence and exploit it to her own advantage. I therefore argue for restraint.

Related Characters: Editor of The Virginian (speaker), Cook, Sanders Senior
Page Number: 110
Explanation and Analysis:
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Editor of The Virginian Quotes in The Longest Memory

The The Longest Memory quotes below are all either spoken by Editor of The Virginian or refer to Editor of The Virginian . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Freedom vs. Obedience Theme Icon
).
Chapter 11: The Virginian Quotes

Young, nubile female slaves are a temptation to us all, but one that should be religiously avoided. […] If these female slaves are used in this way they engender bitterness in a house between the overseer and his wife or the master and his wife. The slave may even become aware of this influence and exploit it to her own advantage. I therefore argue for restraint.

Related Characters: Editor of The Virginian (speaker), Cook, Sanders Senior
Page Number: 110
Explanation and Analysis: