Also, the use of visual and auditory imagery allows the reader to depict vividly the surrounds of the slave times and the seriousness of the struggles they are faced with. The sound is shown in the phrase “voice high-sounding o’er the storm” and the visuals are shown in the line “Saw, salient, at the cross of devious ways”. The poet concludes with the use of pathetic fallacy in the phrase “lonely dark”. This is used to evict emotion onto the reader with the depiction of the state of loneliness. Overall, Dunbar makes clear the message, as well as fulfils the purpose of this poem for readers of all
Much of the literature written during the late nineteenth century marks a transition in African American history, as a lot of the literature brings to light truths and information that normally one might not be aware of when it came to slaves and the plantation life. Authors, such as Charles Chesnutt, created stories that use literary devices such as satire, irony and symbolic situations to relay messages and to comment upon the the treatment and life of the African American people during their enslavement. The definition of a satire refers to making fun of or ridiculing a human shortcoming with the intent of enlightenment or correcting the subject of the satirical attack. In Charles Chesnutt’s “The Passing of Grandison”, the focus of the satirical nature rests upon the popular conceptions of the old plantation life at the time. Chesnutt also creates situations and characters that are brimming with irony with the intention to show the reader an exaggerated depiction of master-slave relationship.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre was founded by dancer, choreography and company director Alvin Ailey. Ailey’s African-American heritage inspired the themes and music for his choreography. His work often focuses on life experience, human emotions, blood memories, community and religious beliefs. He wanted to show the trials and tribulations of the black African Americans but also their elegance. For example in Cry (1971) Ailey’s intent was to portray the strength and struggle of the African-American women in the slave trade.
The way in which the owners treated slaves served ultimately to allow them to keep their slaves submissive, cooperative, and fearful. i. The ranging accounts indicate that the ways that the slaves were treated varied. By and large, however, the treatment of the slaves can be summarized as inhumane and barbaric. a) Humiliation was a key aspect of many slave owners’ tactics.
I believe Frederick Douglass is a Transcendentalist because in his narrative he gives examples of poor treatment from most of his enslavers, showing that the meanness that was exhibited towards slaves was the norm, and slave-owners who were kind were the exception. He uses this narrative to show even more evil underside of slavery. He writes to educate white audiences about what really goes on at slave plantations, including more cruel and depraved behaviors. For example, he devotes several paragraphs in Chapter I to a discussion about white slave owners impregnating their slaves. Douglass often returns to the same theme, depicting slavery as dehumanizing to both slaveholders and slaves.
1. Ludwig van Wittgenstein once said, “ Language is the limit of thought.” What cannot be said cannot be thought without falling into disorder. Douglass’ vocabulary allowed for a more comprehensive analysis of the nature of slavery and the human conditions surrounding it. With his immense and comprehensive vocabulary Douglass constructed a novel indispensable in our country’s history. Language also enabled Douglass to construct imagery and passages that far more accurately reflected the true horrors of the events Douglass witnessed during the time he served as a slave.
Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis In his sentimental, yet candid letter, Banneker reminds the reader of their past with the British Crown and his oppression in order to relate the reader to the struggles faced by a hopeless slave. In lines 1-25, Banneker makes strong use of past experiences faced by colonists in order to connect his reader to slavery. Banneker starts off with reminding the reader of when, “the British Crown exerted every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a state of servitude.” The use of this concrete detail leads the reader to remember a time when they suffered a form of slavery in order to help the reader understand the struggles faced by slaves. The reader is then brought to remember when, “every human aid appeared unavailable.” Although this may be a hyperbole, it is successful in emotionally attaching the reader to the hardships of slavery. The hyperbole doesn’t come off as over- dramatization, but rather shows the negative significance of slavery.
Rowlandson’s narrative is written around the time of the French-Indian War. Meanwhile, Equiano’s narrative is written around the time abolitionists started pushing for freedom of slaves. Equiano’s narrative is also near the time of the war when people were starting to believe slavery was cruel. Both authors wrote their stories in their perspective and did not even as to so much mention one of their masters’ view points. Rowlandson’s and Equiano’s purposes for writing their stories are very similar.
Marcus Rediker describes The Slave Ship as "a painful book to write." But it does not hurt to read how he could hope for. In The Slave Ship: History of Rights Rediker describes the slave trade through the eyes of its participants
Sharon Olds organization in "On the Subway" uses incidents of anaphora, and asyndeton. Her use of anaphora gives her poem the repetition that it has to embody to have the meaning she is writing about a portrail. The meaning of the poem is the intensity of racial confrontation, and gender contrast. Olds use of asyndeton helps her writing seem more like someone who is in a scary situation from their point of view. The organization of these things helps to get the point of the poem