a mercy
Florens
Florens is the main charecter and narrator of A Mercy. She is an African American slave in 17th century America, however she is different than many because she knows how to read and write fairly well. She was sold at a very young age, separated from her mother, at her mother's consent, and has to deal with the abandonment.
~" I don't need Lina to warn me that I must not be alone with strange men with slow hands when in liquor and anger." (pg. 47)
Florens likes to think that she is independent and strong on her own. However she doesn't realize that she needs Lina as much as Lina need her.
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~" I never cry." (pg. 81)
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The fact the she mentioned this out of the blue shows that she tries very hard to be mature, but in reality she is still a little girl.
~" It is as though I am loose to do what I choose, the stag, the wall of flowers. I am a little sacre of this looseness. Is that how free feel? I don't like it. I don't want to be free of you because I am live only with you." (pg. 82)
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She likes being apart of something like Lina. She likes being connected to something or someone. She would rather be a slave, and be connected somehow to the ones she loves, than to be free and alone.
~" Rebekka had confidence in Florens because she was clever and because she had a strong reason to suceed." (pg. 113)
~" However slight, any kindness shown her she munched up like a rabbit. Jacob said the mother had no use for her which, Rebekka decided, explained her need to please. Explained also her attachment to the blacksmith, trotting up to him for any reason, panicked to gethis food on time to him." (pg. 113)
Eager to please
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~" On the other hand, if he had been interested in rape, Florenswould have been his prey. It was easy to spot that combination of defenselessness, eagerness to please and, most of all, a willingness to blame herself for the meanness of others." (pg. 179)
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Because she has felt abandoned by a number of different people by the end of the book, she blames herself for all the pain and hurt that comes upon her.
~" But my way is clear after losing you who I am thinking always as my life and my security from harm, from any who look closely at me only to throw me away." (pg. 184)
At the end of the book she gains more self-confidence. She is tired of getting "thrown away", first her mother and then by the blacksmith.
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~" A minha mae too. I am becoming wilderness but I am aslo Florens. In full. Unforgiven. Unforgiving. No ruth, my love. None. Hear me? Slave. Free. I last." (pg. 189)