Beans Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“East of my bean-field, across the road, lived Cato Ingraham, slave of Duncan Ingraham, Esquire, gentleman, of Concord village, whobuilt his slave a house, and gave him permission to live in Walden Woods;MCato, not Uticensis, but Concordiensis. Some say that he was a Guinea Negro. There are a few who remember his little patch among the walnuts, which he let grow up till he should be old and need them; but a younger and whiter speculator got them at last. He too, however, occupies an equally narrow house at present.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Walden, 1854
A freed slave built a home in the woods, later displaced by a white speculator, reflecting on loss and injustice.
In simple terms: A slave’s home was taken by a white man.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address historical injustices.
Themes
justice
race
property
loss
history
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
historical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- land rights
- heritage preservation
- education
- community dialogue
Key Concepts
colonialism
exploitation
memory
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this story reveal about property rights?
- How can we honor displaced peoples?
A Different Perspective
Complex power dynamics can obscure individual stories.
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