- The Prouds 170
“King Matthew is my master,” and return safe to his
people. But, he believed that, in that dirty underground
prison, he represented all of the Prouds and not only
himself. He also insisted on maintaining his usual calmness
under such harsh conditions because he knew that any sign
of pain would make Harlem and his father happy and
allows them to satisfy their lust for revenge and gloating.
The two soldiers took turns burning, whipping, and
spilling hot and cold water on him until his body was burnt,
and blood started coming out of his deep burns. They kept
doing that for two more days until he died holding out
quietly without crying or begging. They threw him on the
floor with his face and chest full of burns. His back was a
house for whipping scars, signs of burns, and blood. His
white dress was mixed with the redness of his blood.
He died the way he wanted, holding out quietly and
maintaining his dignity and, most importantly, the dignity
of the Prouds.