![]() ![]() Critics’ reactions were mixed, with some criticizing the book’s gloomy tone and others disliking Eliot’s use of literary allusions in her writing. ![]() Ten Broeck recognizes the value of Jarret’s skill with horses and deep rapport with Lexington and, in what could be mistaken for generosity but is actually just canny exploitation, elevates him to the status of deputy trainer, a promotion that gives Jarret responsibility without true authority. It has many characteristics of modern novels, but it also has characteristics that are typical to Victorian novels. Of course, the abhorrent and absurd truth is that both Lexington and Jarret are considered livestock, resources to be exploited until they die. The young man and the horse are sent south, eventually to the massive racing operation of Richard Ten Broeck in Louisiana. Warfield is blackmailed into selling both Lexington and Jarret. It turns out there is a law forbidding Black people from running horses, and so Dr. ![]() Once Lexington wins his first race, Harry’s ownership gives covetous White horsemen the necessary leverage to take the animal from him. Elisha Warfield, offers to give the colt Lexington to Harry in lieu of a year’s wages so that Harry, if he makes the horse a success, might earn enough to purchase his son. Jarret is the child of Harry Lewis, a horse trainer who was able to buy his own freedom in antebellum Kentucky. ![]()
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