This is the Uncle Tom's Cabin of our time. The Known World shows how slavery not only changed a persons natural and physical state but also their mental state. We see how Moses breaks down over time from one who longs to keep his family together, to one pushing his family away so that he might have the chance to be free. While Stamford and Elias end up excepting their fate only later to become free men of high character. One of the main concepts introduced in this book is the ability for free black persons to own slaves. This low period in our time was not only due to racial discrimination but also class discrimination. Why is it that society plays such a huge part in our determination of right and wrong?

I found the description of the molasses ration interesting comparative to today. Did they have access to sugar during this time in history, and if not what did they use in pies and sweets? Was molasses their sweeter? I don't know, but I do want some biscuits with a little butter and a jar of molasses.