“The boy already knew more about revenge than I did. What kind of man was he going to grow up into? “Why did you set this fire?” I asked. “To get even with your father for something else?”(pg25)

This quote depicts a reoccurring theme throughout this chapter “The Fire” where Rufus seems to be being molded into a master. Through this scene alone it is shown how he has already committed an act of revenge and has more experience with it than Dana. When Dana describes how he he already knew more about revenge it and questions who he will become it very clearly signifies that this child is being molded by his parents.

After the quote Rufus goes on to explain that his dad had sold a horse he had wanted and did not even need the money, so in retaliation he set the stable ablaze.Along with this we soon learn that he also committed the act because he had been whipped by his father and Dana becomes shocked with what has happened. Through this we are also able to see that Rufus will soon begin to associate physical punishment as a solution for when someone commits a wrongdoing despite the severity. The father is said to have almost killed the son had he not stopped.This entire ordeal shocks Dana to the bone especially because the contrast of this time period to hers shows a clear divide in the way that people are treated. Another scene where she has this realization is when Rufus refuses to call blacks by their names or even Dana despite knowing her and instead calls them by a slur. Therefore Dana is constantly reminded of where she is and is very worried for what Rufus will be become.