ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Clare brings home a small black girl of eight or nine years, whom he presents to Ophelia. His cousin is none too pleased, but St. Clare says the little girl, called Topsy, was being abused by her owners who were using her as help in their tavern.

Detailed explanation-2: -Clare teaches Ophelia about slavery by giving her a slave of her own: Topsy.

Detailed explanation-3: -Clare’s conscience gets the better of him, and he buys Topsy from this restaurant to save her from mistreatment. But what St. Clare does with her is unfair in its own way – he gives her to Miss Ophelia as a gift, to train and instruct.

Detailed explanation-4: -St. Clare purchases an eight-or nine-year-old slave with very dark skin named Topsy, so that Miss Ophelia might teach her manners. Miss Ophelia is upset, feeling that there are too many slaves in the house already, and Topsy is dirty and “heathenish, ” but St. Clare convinces her to take Topsy on as a student.

Detailed explanation-5: -Miss Ophelia is given full responsibility for Topsy’s care and instruction, and she accepts her duty earnestly. She soon sets on a rigorous course of education for Topsy, instructing her in the arts of making her bed and cleaning her chamber.