CHAPTER 39 – A Race of Slaves

In Chapter 39 of “Worldly Ways and Byways,” entitled “A Race of Slaves,” the author laments the paradox of Americans, who, despite their global dominance and innovations abroad, submit themselves to petty tyrannies at home. The narrative begins with a critique of American expansionism and innovation in Europe, highlighting achievements such as introducing trolleys and electrifying the Roman catacombs. However, the author quickly shifts focus to the domestic sphere, where Americans, in contrast to their ancestors’ fight for freedom and independence, find themselves subjugated by corporations, municipal bodies, and various minor officials who treat them with disdain.

The author illustrates this with personal anecdotes that showcase the public’s tolerance for indignities during travel, such as unnecessary delays and disrespectful treatment by transportation and hotel staff. A train ride from Washington to New York via Jersey City becomes a prime example, where passengers, including the author, acquiesce to a 40-minute delay without apparent reason. Such experiences are juxtaposed against the concept of freedom, suggesting that Americans’ revolutionary spirit has waned, replaced by a docile acceptance of bureaucratic overreach and inefficiency.

Moreover, the chapter critiques the dehumanizing aspects of travel, like the “brushing atrocity” in trains, where passengers are dusted without consent, and the arbitrary control of air quality according to the whims of a single individual. The narrative extends this critique to streetcars, where commuters must navigate with a sense of urgency to avoid inconvenience, painting a picture of a populace trained to endure discomfort for the sake of conformity.

The submission to authority extends beyond public transportation to everyday interactions in shops and restaurants, where customers are often ignored or treated condescendingly by service employees. The author contrasts this with the respectful and dignified treatment afforded customers in Europe, suggesting a loss of personal dignity and respect in American culture.

These anecdotes cumulate in a reflection on Americans’ broader societal submission, including the fear of servants and the importance placed on the opinions of minor officials. The chapter concludes with an observation on the lack of individual agency and the consequences of expressing dissent, as illustrated by a friend’s ejection from a theater for hissing at a performance. This chapter, rich in social commentary, casts a critical eye on the erosion of personal freedoms and the rise of a servile culture within a country founded on principles of liberty and self-determination.