The Signature of All Things discussion

I found it curious that throughout the book Alma never expresses an opinion on slavery that I can remember. The only references were in relation to Prudence and her radical views, but what was Alma's opinion? Did she believe it was morally wrong or the inevitable outcome when when a stronger culture conquers another? Considering how concerned she was with the burning issues of her time and questions about morality and evolution I found this an odd omission. What do you think?

Alma was not concerned with radical causes, she believed slavery was 'abhorrent' but it did not occupy her conscience on a daily basis (her words). Her scientific pursuits consumed much of her time, and it is easy to see in the novel that she often took easy to follow paths during her life. She was not possessed of supreme self-confidence and that may be the reason she remained in solitary study of mosses for so long. Even when she went to Tahiti she was not forthcoming about her real reasons for going there (which would have saved a lot of time). She was very hesitant to publish her thesis about natural selection, again lacking the confidence necessary to weather the objections that might be forthcoming from the scientific community.

If she had been for slavery she wouldn't have given such a large portion of her legacy to the Abolitionist movement. As Mad said, "she was not concerned with radical causes." Not directly, anyway. But she was happy to donate her money so that others could work for the cause and for the sake of her sister who had sacrificed for her.

Although Alma may state that slavery is "abhorrent" does she believe it is inevitable as her scientific theory of the survival of the fittest would imply? Since childhood she has spent much time debating and holding her own with the greatest minds of her era around the dinner table, and not just on scientific issues, so I don't believe she would be reticent to voice an opinion on the subject.

Yes, she gives a large portion of her legacy to Prudence, but this is for the sacrifice that Prudence has made for her, not because she passionately supports the Abolitionist movement.

On reflection I think the reason Alma doesn't reveal much about her thoughts on slavery is because this issue is at the heart of the "Prudence problem" she struggles with and is actually the subtext of the whole novel. Slavery seems to be a perfect example of a stronger race dominating a weaker one which confirms Alma's theory. However it is the moral dimension, represented by Prudence and her fight for justice and equality that contradict this theory and which Alma tries to reconcile with her own limited scientific word view which can't account for things like selflessness and altruism.