Elma is a slave on the Landon plantation. When Mrs. Landon discovers that her husband has been intimate with her she decides that the only way she can stay in control of the situation is to keep her enemies closer. He brings Elma into the house and treats her worse than she was treated when she was working outside. Mrs. Landon vowed to never allow her to see or speak to her family again even though they were just footsteps away. As the scene develops Elma voices her feelings on the situation realizing that Mrs. Landon is truly an evil woman. Mrs. Landon then uses Elma’s faith to teach her and the slaves on the plantation a very valuable lesson, you do not cross the Master’s wife. Mrs. Landon puts an evil spin on the baptismal water when she drags Elma to the river and “baptizes” her in the name of all that is right and just, in her eyes. Forcing her family to watch as she fights for her life.
