This line is quite telling of the hate and prejudice that enslaved people experienced, instead of celebrating him or just allowing him to create more inventions, instead he starts to abuse him out of jealousy because he views him as inferior. So the boss does what is allowed under this system which is hurt him.

This plays into the bigger idea that has been noted over and over again throughout the module but also just in general. That you have these so called moral people that are intelligent but also being slave owners. The dichotomy of this is quite strange but something people back then critique but the hypocrisy in it.

I think the story does have issues but I think this line truly shows the issues with it. Of course there were people who were enslaved that were light-skin and therefore it made it easier for them to "pass" as white, but the reason this line is important is that because she is "pass-able" she doesn't have the same "accent" as her other counter-parts. Why is it that she is lighter therefore her pronunciation is better. Personally I think this encapsulates the issue at hand.

I think the reason why this quote is so important and exemplifies the story is the juxtaposition of emotions that is felt by the narrator. We know the horrible pain he felt in bondage, but to have an example of him free and how happy he is because he is now able to control his destiny.