In Chapter 4, Hochschild introduces us to a traditional sugar plantation with slaves working in the fields while whites enjoyed their great luxurious houses overlooking their estates. We are then introduced to James Stephen, who falls in love with his friend’s sister, Nancy. Even though Stephen promised himself to Nancy, he also ended up falling in love with Nancy’s close friend, Maria. Understanding that his actions were wrong, he considered himself a sinner and promised to marry whoever could not find another husband to marry. After promising to do this, he sets off to the Caribbean where he witnesses a trial accusing four black slaves of murder. After being shocked when hearing that these men were guilty, he was more surprised to witness their execution-being burnt alive. Stephen began to feel even worse because he know that he had benefited from slavery himself. We are then brought to Codrington, a sugar plantation and mill where slaves faced unsafe and tiring work. It was not uncommon to hear of the many deaths of these workers. Since sugar was such an important crop and so many Britons profited from it, it isn’t uncommon to find them not willing to abolish slavery.
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