goemanjt 7/1/2009

How does understanding this period get you to better understanding the other four periods?

This period, the critique of Slavery, really helps me better understand Puritanism, and writers like Samuel Sewall and The “Selling of Joseph”. It is interesting to see the progression of very few identifying the un-ethicalness of slavery, advance to a majority of people calling out for the ending of something that was once accepted by many.

No matter what period you’re reading, it seems that there is always conflict in at least one of the writings. Slavery is no exception there are people for an idea and against an idea. One side says it wrong and the other side says it’s fine. There is always conflict throughout all these different periods. It helps me understand that this is not related to the period specifically but instead humans will always have conflicts with one another in the form of persecution, slavery, or just disagreements.


How does understanding this period affect your understanding of the various literary themes?

Diversity is a very applicable theme for the critique of slavery. It really helps me understand this concept when looking at the critique of slavery because of the unacceptance of many in the past because of diversity(differences).

The American Dream as a theme comparing with the critique of slavery is very important. The concept that the Declaration of Independence declares the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all no matter what, really made it difficult for the slaves to participate in the American Dream like they should have been able to sooner.

All the other themes have some application as well. But Identity is the last one that I will bring up. Slaves were not seen as having their own unique identities, but instead were seen as an overall category of servants, and had no unique value when infact they did.

If you had done this period, which authors would you have selected? Why?

Harriet Beecher Stowe and Harriet Tubman

Harriet Beecher Stowe has always been one of my favorite authors because of her writing of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, which I think everyone should read at sometime in their life. Abraham Lincoln said kind of jokingly of her “So this is the small woman that started this big war”. Obviously, she was powerful with words and researching her more indepth would be an exciting adventure to find out more about this courageous writer.

Harriet Tubman would be the other writer, because of her participation in the abolition. The abuse and trials she had to come through, and her desire to keep helping the slaves and she being a former slave herself really makes her character stand out. Any additional information about this hero would be well worth the research.

If you had done this period, which texts would you have selected? Why?

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Wade in the Water

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is amazing book about what slavery was like in the south and how it was depriving good people of their lives and their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It gives examples of slaves and the abuse they took from their masters, and what life was like for them.

Wade in the Water by Harriet Tubman . This song is just an incredible display of affection trying to protect the slaves who were running away in a coded message form. Wading in the water would throw off the dogs scent and the owners that were searching for run away slaves. I would assume that the history behind this song is worth reading!