The Defeat and Triumph of Anthony Burns

Antonio Banrey
November 14, 2011
ROAR Notes
The story begins with Anthony being chased down and arrested by the police for a crime he did not commit. Burns soon comes to the realization that one of his captors is his former Master. Anthony turns to the memories of his childhood for safety and comfort in this tense situation. When taken to trial, several abolitionists come to his aid and are given a week to prepare a case. Literally over night, Anthony Burns becomes a symbol of hope and freedom. Later the next day, Anthony is tricked by the guards and signs away his rights. Later tricking the guard, Anthony gets back his rights by ripping up the paper, with the help of Reverend Grimes. Anthony Burns is very lucky to be in Boston, a place filled with abolitionists that will help him out on his fight for freedom. At the Friday Abolitionist meeting, a vague plan is made up for the rescue of Anthony. Soon, Anthony realizes that the abolitionists are trying to take the court house by force. Though they started off strong, the abolitionists were fought off by the police and security was tightened. On Saturday, Anthony appeared in court and in a stroke of luck he was given more time to prepare his case. His former master says that he my sell him in the area to anyone willing to buy. Reverend Grimes jumps at the opportunity to seize the freedom of Mr. Burns. Grimes spends the rest of the day gathering the money to boy Anthony though an agreement that he and Colonel Suttle made. By the time that the signature is ready to be given, it is just 15 minutes into Sunday, and Massachusetts law forbids any transactions on Sunday. Reverend Grimes says a prayer for Anthony Burns.
The final 60 pages are the trial of Anthony Burns. The judge shows signs of prejudice from the start and the defense feels that their cause is lost but they intend to go down with a fight. The prosecution attempts to prove that Anthony belongs to Suttle. The ‘facts’ were contradicted by the defense easily. However, because of the judge, the case is lost. Anthony is sent to jail and is sold to a man who sends him to Boston with Reverend Grimes. Anthony lives out the rest of his life as a reverend in Canada.
“One man rushed frantically about, crying, ‘Come on!’ but none seemed ready to follow” (Hamilton 78).
This is an important quote because we see that thought the abolitionists say that they are ready to fight for the freedom of Anthony, few are actually prepared to take the risk of arrest or even death. Outsiders view them as cowards and here we see that in most cases, their bark is worse than their bite.