This paper focuses on the importance of remembering the slave trade in all his cruel facets. Therefore, the genre of the original slave narrative and the genre of the neo-slave narrative is introduced. The second part of the paper provides an analysis of the novel 'Blonde Roots', by Bernardine Evaristo (2009).
The colonial era and the legacy of slavery left a serious mark on the whole world; Especially present-day Great Britain has to face the consequences of its role in colonialism ever since. Between 1500 and 1900, nearly 12 million African slaves were brought from their homeland to America and to Europe.
Via the Transatlantic Slave Trade, British ships sent rare cargoes, like rum, cotton wool and gunpowder to Africa, in exchange for potential slaves. When the slave ships arrived in the 'New World'2, African slaves were forced brutally to harvest coffee, sugar and tobacco on plantations. Eventually, the British ships, filled with the plantation yield, settled to their home ports in Europe.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The development of the slave narrative genre
2.1 The slave narrative
2.2 Characteristics and functions of neo-lave narratives
3. 'Blonde Roots' (2009) by Bernardine Evaristo
3.1 Narrative strategies in 'Blonde Roots'
3.2 'Blonde Roots' as a remake of the original slave narrative
4. Conclusion and outlook
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This paper examines the significance of remembering the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and explores how the genre of the neo-slave narrative serves as a vital medium for addressing this legacy. By analyzing the original slave narrative and its contemporary evolution, the research highlights the necessity of cultural production in confronting the ongoing impacts of systematic racism and slavery in modern society.
- The evolution and characteristics of the original slave narrative genre.
- The function of neo-slave narratives in contemporary literature.
- A detailed analysis of narrative strategies in Bernardine Evaristo's 'Blonde Roots'.
- The role of literature in re-evaluating the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Narrative Strategies in Blonde Roots
The novel Blonde Roots, written by Bernardine Evaristo, published in 2008, tells the story of an English slave woman, Omerenomwara. The young woman lives on the continent of Great Ambossa, in Londolo, and works as a house slave for Chief Kaga Konata Katamba, who captured her when she was eleven years old. Through the novel, the reader follows the English slave, who is originally named Doris, on her journey from her life in bondage to a life in freedom.
Blonde Roots presents a reversed perspective of the Transatlantic Slave Trade where the Europeans, the Whytes, are the slaves, and the Africans, the Ambossans, the slave keepers. The comical novel plays with the readers known facts about slaver and victims in the slave trade and, eventually, challenges him to reflect on how easily the roles in slavery could have been vice versa.
In the following, the narrative situation in Blonde Roots will be analysed with the help of narrative theories by Stanzel and Nünning&Nünning. Later on, the analysed aspects will be put into context, when discussing whether the novel exemplifies as a remake of the slave novel.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and identifies the importance of neo-slave narratives in the modern struggle against systemic racism.
2. The development of the slave narrative genre: This section traces the evolution of the slave narrative, defining its original historical purpose and identifying the characteristics of the modern neo-slave narrative.
2.1 The slave narrative: This chapter explores the origins of the genre in the late 1780s and the role of abolitionist literature in portraying the experiences of enslaved individuals.
2.2 Characteristics and functions of neo-lave narratives: This chapter analyzes how modern fictional works subvert traditional narratives to address the aftermath and social consequences of slavery.
3. 'Blonde Roots' (2009) by Bernardine Evaristo: This chapter provides an overview of the novel's focus on narrative situation and its contribution to the cultural production surrounding the legacy of slavery.
3.1 Narrative strategies in 'Blonde Roots': This chapter examines the novel's multi-perspective approach and the use of first-person narration to bridge the roles of slave and slave holder.
3.2 'Blonde Roots' as a remake of the original slave narrative: This chapter discusses how the novel uses humor and satire as a radical tool to critique European beauty standards and historical representations of slavery.
4. Conclusion and outlook: This final chapter synthesizes the role of neo-slave narratives in redressing historical gaps and promoting a more complex understanding of British history and modern identity.
Keywords
Neo-slave narrative, Transatlantic Slave Trade, Bernardine Evaristo, Blonde Roots, Slavery, Abolitionism, Systemic racism, Cultural production, Narrative strategy, Post-colonialism, Great Ambossa, First-person narration, Historical identity, Black British literature, Allegory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the genre of the neo-slave narrative and its critical role in remembering the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to combat contemporary systemic racism.
What are the central thematic fields addressed?
The central themes include the evolution of slave literature, the reconstruction of historical trauma through fiction, and the subversion of racial power dynamics.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate how the neo-slave narrative genre enables modern society to address the enduring aftermath of slavery and to understand the origins of present-day institutionalized racism.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs literary analysis, incorporating narrative theories from Stanzel and Nünning & Nünning to dissect the structural and stylistic techniques used in the novel 'Blonde Roots'.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the historical development of the slave narrative, the characteristics of the neo-slave genre, and a detailed analysis of Bernardine Evaristo's 'Blonde Roots'.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Neo-slave narrative, Transatlantic Slave Trade, historical re-configuration, narrative strategies, and post-colonial critique.
How does Evaristo use narrative perspective in 'Blonde Roots'?
Evaristo uses a multi-perspective approach, allowing readers to view the narrative through both the enslaved protagonist, Doris, and her captor, Chief Kaga Konata Katamba.
In what way does 'Blonde Roots' act as a remake of the original slave narrative?
The novel reverses the roles of slave and master, using satire, humor, and anachronism to challenge historical master narratives and expose the absurdity of racial superiority.
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- Jana Olejniczak (Autor:in), 2020, The Genres of Slave Narratives and Neo-Slave Narratives. Development, Characteristics and Functions, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1020778
