I appreciate how this story ends with a speech about the right to different and individual beliefs, and ties in the symbolism of the "Boston Common." Mary's personal fight gets connected to the bigger fights about religion within these times, and she herself acts as a symbol for religious freedom. She died knowing that she was fighting for what she believed in.

This term of an "Indian Cake" is interesting because the narrator could have just said "cake," but chose to add the word "Indian" in there as well. I think this symbolizes something with culture... perhaps two cultures combining into one. I also thought this was interesting because during this moment in thee passage, a death was being described, and the word "cake" was thrown in there during it. This reminds me of an oxymoron because when I think of cake, I think of birthdays, and being reborn- not dying.

I can see how Alice's resist to being an author shows an opposite contrast to her mother, Mrs. Courland. I believe Alice is a realist, and more practical, while her mother is a dreamer. Showing two opposite personalities throughout the story escalates the plot, and I am sure the author did this for that reason.

This question portrays an ongoing theme throughout the text, which is power and authority. Asking who is really the slave and who is really the mistress kind of messes with the normal, more traditional roles in a slave-owning house. Adding this question made me stop and think to myself, do slave-owners have as much control as they think they do? I thought that was cool to ponder on.

I love this last line, and how it conveys the message shown throughout the story. Seeing how this incredible dog, Apollo, in the beginning of the story is praised for knowledge, you would think he would be the best and most liked dog. However, its the dog that showed more compassion, care, and empathy that was liked the most. I like how this dog comparison serves as a moral lesson for both animals and humans, where sometimes, it is not about what you can do, but who you are on the inside.

When I read this line, I think William is explaining how he thinks it is easier to believe something so out of the ordinary, like a dog talking, rather than believing that a man of higher authority would ever lie. I think this goes hand-in-hand with the time that this story was written, where everyone believed anything that a powerful man (a king, dictator, etc.) was saying. This is a small piece in a large story that shows how these individuals think.