Freedom and Slavery

Freedom and Slavery appears as a literary theme in 4 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.

True freedom is internal and comes from mastering one's own will and desires, while external slavery is secondary. Epictetus, himself a former slave, argues that those who are ruled by externals or passions are the real slaves.

The theme of physical and metaphorical slavery pervades the narrative, from the slave market where Juan is sold to the critique of political oppression, with characters reflecting on how 'most men are slaves' to their own passions or to society.

The theme of freedom versus slavery is pervasive, addressing both literal chattel slavery and metaphorical forms of bondage, such as conformity, materialism, and submission to unjust government.

Slavery is depicted as both physical and spiritual, as in 'The Lion’s Daughter,' where slaves fan a queen while a cat comments on their eternal bondage, and in 'Tyranny,' where the She-Dragon prophesies her own destruction by a saint.