Black Beauty

Black Beauty

by

Anna Sewell

Reuben Smith is the groom put in charge of Earlshall’s stables when Lord W and his family leave with York for several months. He’s on his second stint of working for Lord W. The first time, he was fired because he occasionally gets drunk and abuses his wife, animals, and anyone else in the vicinity. But because Smith has some veterinary training and is a good horseperson when he’s sober, he’s hired back just before Black Beauty and Ginger arrive at Earlshall. Smith does his job well for most of his time in charge—but when he’s tasked with taking Blantyre to the train station and then riding Black Beauty home, he gets drunk. Ignoring that Black Beauty’s shoe is loose, Smith gallops Black Beauty over rough roads and whips him, even when Black Beauty loses his shoe and his hoof begins to split. Finally, Black Beauty stumbles onto his knees and pitches Smith over his head onto the road. The accident kills Smith. Posthumously, Smith is found to be at fault in the accident.

Reuben Smith Quotes in Black Beauty

The Black Beauty quotes below are all either spoken by Reuben Smith or refer to Reuben Smith. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Horse Care, Abuse, and Neglect Theme Icon
).
Chapter 27 Quotes

“And so,” she said, “here we are—ruined in the prime of our youth and strength—you by a drunkard, and I by a fool; it is very hard.”

Related Characters: Ginger (speaker), Black Beauty/The Narrator, Reuben Smith, Lord George
Page Number: 136
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 49 Quotes

“You see, ladies,” said Mr Thoroughgood, “many first-rate horses have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers, without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse, I should say that is his case: but of course I do not wish to influence you.”

Related Characters: Mr. Thoroughgood (speaker), Black Beauty/The Narrator, Reuben Smith, Miss Lavinia, Miss Ellen, Miss Blomefield
Page Number: 260
Explanation and Analysis:
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Black Beauty PDF

Reuben Smith Quotes in Black Beauty

The Black Beauty quotes below are all either spoken by Reuben Smith or refer to Reuben Smith. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Horse Care, Abuse, and Neglect Theme Icon
).
Chapter 27 Quotes

“And so,” she said, “here we are—ruined in the prime of our youth and strength—you by a drunkard, and I by a fool; it is very hard.”

Related Characters: Ginger (speaker), Black Beauty/The Narrator, Reuben Smith, Lord George
Page Number: 136
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 49 Quotes

“You see, ladies,” said Mr Thoroughgood, “many first-rate horses have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers, without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse, I should say that is his case: but of course I do not wish to influence you.”

Related Characters: Mr. Thoroughgood (speaker), Black Beauty/The Narrator, Reuben Smith, Miss Lavinia, Miss Ellen, Miss Blomefield
Page Number: 260
Explanation and Analysis: