MD3PAD 691-693

[Toby G Levy]

        Uncle Lomax draws the analogy to Pope and Lady Montague in
looking at the relationship of Mason and Dixon.  Dixon wanted to stay in
America and Mason wanted to return.  Lady Montague supposedly laughed at
Alexander Pope when he declared his love to her.

        Mason and Dixon appear to be working placidly during their last
days in America, when in reality they are haunted by the notion that all
their work will wind up to have been in vain. But it is not be in vain,
for the strange malevolent spirit that was lain into the line continues
and repels those who try to settle on it.

        Suddenly it occurs to Dixon that what they've done was draw a
line between the slave holders and their "wage payers." Dixon regrets
passively watching as thousands of innocents are dispossessed of their
heritage and land. He wishes he could have found America to be free of
tyrants and slaves.  He ends the chapter by wondering what evil the King
might do to Mason and Dixon.

Toby