1. LIT 325 Christina Brownell Senior Instructor Cambridge College SESSION III Literature of Slavery and Freedom
2. Self and Identity "Our self and our identity are like a lock and key, inter-locked in a specific relationship which makes us see the world in a certain way. Some of the greatest thinkers have observed this relationship and articulated in memorable ways" (Nomi -Brooklyn Public Library blog)
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4. A Mercy by Toni Morrison A Mercy is told primarily through the distinctive narrative voices of Florens, Lina, Jacob, Rebekka, Sorrow, and Florens' mother. What do these characters reveal about themselves through the way they speak?
5. Last Week's Reading Assignment: Think about: Toni Morrison has gathered together an unusual collection of characters in this story. These characters have a unique societal structure and relationship. What holds it together or breaks it apart? Does this society work? Why, or why not?
31. Importance of Slave Narratives Slave and ex-slave narratives are important not only for what they tell us about African American history and literature, but also because they reveal to us the complexities of the dialogue between whites and blacks in this country in the last two centuries.
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Editor's Notes
Most whites were content with the idea of the equality of whites and blacks in the eyes of God but not in earthly societal order. Not in favor of advancement of black people. They used the concept of the universality of the brotherhood of man in their writing, which made it less confrontation to white prejudice and anxiety. This entry into the literary scene for African Americans had great impact by letting white readers know that they had stories to tell and feelings to voice. The fact that these black writers were accomplished literary figures contested the long held belief that blacks were not capable of literary expression. This addressed the idea that mastery of thought and expression meant that blacks could be given a place of respect in white civilization.
Fugitive Slave law caused more antagonism between north and south and a power struggle was beginning. This law required the return of runaway slaves to their masters.