Indentured Servitude

Indentured servitude is a system by which someone becomes a servant for a set amount of time in order to pay off a debt. Lavinia becomes an indentured servant after her parents die while on ship between Ireland and America. Lavinia cannot pay the ship’s ticket, so the captain of the ship brings her home with him and places her in the kitchen house as a servant until she comes of age.

Lavinia never really understands her servitude to the Pyke family. Lavinia only understands that Mama Mae, Papa George, and Belle are her family. As she grows older, Lavinia becomes aware of the differences between her and her new family. However, she believes that her life will continue as in the past. In the end, Lavinia is sent to live with the Maddens. She realizes that she cannot be a servant for the...