People often talk about maternal instincts, but never mention paternal instincts or attachment to children. Mr. Sands seemed largely apathetic about the fate of his children, Benny and Ellen. Although Mr. Sands is white and his children were black according to the “one-drop-rule” it seemed like this issue extends deeper than race. Mr. Sands was hardly the only white man to father children with enslaved black women, and for all his “kindness” he seemed to care no more about he fate of his children than the cruelest master. It seems that throughout most cultures, mothers are expected to raise, love, and care for children while the father simply provides for the family. One could argue that a white man during this time would be ostracized if he abandoned his white children, and everyone would look the other way when he did the same to his black children.

It seems to me that despite the disparities between the races at the time, a man would still care about the children he fathered. Mr. Sands does repeatedly try to buy Linda and their children, but from my interpretation it didn’t seem like he cared that much about buying their freedom. I felt as if Mr. Sands’ was not a strong enough man to stand up to Dr. Flint. If Mr. Sands truly cared he wouldn’t have offered up his daughter as a maid to his cousin.

Linda’s relationship with Mr. Sands, and his relationship with his children mad me question the role of fathers and the idea of maleness at this time and in the present. Today people openly chastise “deadbeat dads” but I personally feel that mothers who abandon children are viewed more harshly.