Who would want to work anywhere as a slave? In the Great House, slave women would be routinely raped by the masters, hated by the master's wives, unfairly punished by the master's wives, overworked in the kitchen, expected to care for the master's bratty children, and many more reasons to "dislike" working there.
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Enslaved women often disliked working in the great house because it increased their vulnerability to sexual exploitation and abuse by the slaveholder and other white men living on the property. Additionally, they were forced to take on more demanding and unpleasant domestic work, with little to no autonomy or recognition for their labor. Working in the great house also meant being separated from their families and communities, further increasing their sense of isolation and powerlessness.
Enslaved women working in the great house may face increased risk of sexual assault from the master or other male household members. They may also experience harsher treatment and lack of autonomy compared to those working in other areas of the plantation.
People on southern plantations were separated into different groups based on their labor roles and social status. Enslaved individuals were segregated by age, gender, and skill set, with some working in the fields and others in the house. Free workers, overseers, and plantation owners made up other social groups on the plantation.
Yes, in some cases, enslaved individuals worked in their master's house in cities and towns as domestic servants or artisans. This allowed slave owners to closely supervise their slaves and integrate them into daily household activities.
Many slaves sought to be house servants because they hoped for better living conditions, lighter work, and potentially more opportunities for social mobility or advantages compared to working in the fields. Additionally, house servants often had closer contact with their slave owners, and some believed this could lead to preferential treatment or favor.
Building a sod house typically took a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the size of the house and the number of people working on it. The process involved cutting and stacking sod blocks to form the walls and roof, which required careful planning and coordination.