An Analysis of The Narrative of Slavery Through Literary Works

One of the most atrocious actions humans have done to one another was slavery. Judging and persecuting others because of their skin tone, then forcing them into unthinkable tragedies and abuse to make a profit, is one of the most cruel and unbelievable acts. Slavery affected millions of people and created treacherous lifestyles for many African Americans during this time.

A Study of Slavery Narratives in Literature

Slavery and servitude throughout America involved a multitude of races; however, African Americans were the most discriminated against. From the time the first slaves started being shipped to the colonies, African Americans began to be perceived as the inferior race. This mindset created numerous problems and unbelievable difficulties in assimilating normally into our culture. Even today, people of color continue to battle these issues. There were many painful, humiliating, and inhumane methods employed to maintain slaves' status and keep them working for the rich white man. All of the families affected by slavery endured extremely difficult family lives shaped and influenced by oppression. These families were constructed at the will of their malicious masters and paid heavy consequences for actions their masters deemed inappropriate. An awful reality that tore families apart was that children were sold away to other places, separated from their families, and put to work at extremely young ages. From these young ages, slave owners ensured their slaves remained illiterate, fearing resistance if they learned to read and write. Some slaves managed to escape these barriers and acquire basic literacy skills. While not many succeeded, those who did shared their gruesome stories and revealed the true treatment of slaves to the rest of the world.

There are an insurmountable number of cases and stories from this time period involving mistreatment, abuse, and the overall atrocities that slavery brought. All of these stories contain vital information about the past and offer a glimpse into how terribly these people were treated. However, two very well-known and important narratives are frequently referenced to better understand what really occurred. The first is “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” (Douglass, 1845). This narrative details the oppression Frederick Douglass endured on his escape to freedom. Throughout his narrative, Douglass provides the reader with a firsthand account of the brutality he endured, along with the humility and pain all slaves experienced. He identifies the inhumane practices performed by malicious masters and slave owners, including his own experiences. A significant point he emphasizes is that the only crime this mass of people committed was being born with a different skin color. He describes the pain and suffering he and others endured and details his quest for freedom to escape this terrible treatment. Douglass's struggle to gain literacy was a tremendous challenge, as slaves were taught from a young age to forget their origin, family, and even their birth dates. This was instilled in them to prevent uprisings or rebellions. Douglass elaborates on how masters were exceedingly cruel to their slaves, depriving them of necessities such as clothing, food, and even sleep. He exposes the depth of this cruelty through descriptions of beatings without offenses and how American industries flourished by exploiting slavery, treating people as property rather than humans. He also touches on the barbaric actions of masters who raped their slaves and forced them to bear children, punishing them severely if they did not comply. Douglass's ability to endure all of this and expose slavery for what it truly was is a remarkable feat.

The next novel that truly outlines the horrific actions of this time is an autobiography by Harriet Ann Jacobs called “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” (Jacobs, 1861). This autobiography encompasses her narration of the experiences she endured as a slave and her determination to share her struggles to educate the rest of the African-American community and the world about the abuse that was happening. This narrative allowed people to reconsider their stance on slavery and pursue its decline. She aimed to gain sympathy and show white people the true impact of slavery on people of color. Jacobs uses the alias Linda Brent to write about her experiences and reveal the reality of being a slave without exposing her true identity. Along with Frederick Douglass, her story highlights the brutality of slavery and how slave owners destroyed the lives of countless individuals and families. She addresses much of the same cruelty that Douglass detailed, from gruesome masters who abused their slaves to unthinkable punishments and living conditions.

Conclusion

Slavery has been one of the most inhumane acts humans have inflicted upon one another, permanently altering lives. Due to the deliberate suppression of literacy among slaves to prevent rebellion, there are not many stories that reveal what life was truly like during these times. Therefore, the narratives that have survived are crucial for understanding how slavery truly was and how it changed people's lives.

References

Douglass, F. (1845). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Anti-Slavery Office.

Jacobs, H. A. (1861). Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Thayer & Eldridge.