Final answer:
Wilfred is tied up and beaten as a characteristic example of the violence that enslaved individuals often faced by their enslavers, who would resort to extreme cruelty to maintain control, both physically and psychologically.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wilfred is tied up and beaten as a result of the brutal and violent treatment that was commonly exerted over enslaved individuals during the era of slavery. This mistreatment was often justified by the enslavers through a combination of societal norms, economic incentives, and even religious texts.
In the historical excerpts provided, various forms of punishment and control, such as beatings, forced submission, restraint with chains, and psychological torment are described, emphasizing the cruel methods used to enforce obedience and suppress any forms of resistance or defiance.
In one account, a young woman named Henny, nearly helpless due to an injury, is repeatedly tied up and whipped by her master, showcasing the extreme cruelty inflicted on the enslaved even for minor or imagined transgressions.
This treatment is a horrific example of the daily realities faced by enslaved people, whose masters exerted complete control over their lives. Such cruelty was not only physical but also extended to psychological abuse, designed to instill fear and maintain dominance.