Slaves’ Christianity and Slaveholders’ Christianity in the United States were not the same - far from it. In many ways, they were opposites. Given the importance of Christianity in society at the time in general, but also specifically in discourse about the topic of slavery, this begs the question: How are these different ideas of Christianity depicted in slave novels of the time and what purpose do they serve?
This bachelor thesis examines how these very different ideas of Christianity are depicted in two select antebellum slavery novels: "Clotel; or, The President's Daughter" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin". The thesis argues that both novels depict both sides of Christianity (pro- and antislavery), but do so in a way that highlights ‘True Christianity’ as fundamentally opposed to slavery and thus, both novels craft an abolitionist argument on the grounds of Christianity.
Over the duration of slavery in the United States, religion always played a large role in the discourse surrounding it. In an early example of criticizing the institution of slavery on religious grounds, Virginian planter William Byrd, in 1736, wrote a letter to an English correspondent stating that Parliament should "put an end to this unchristian traffick of makeing merchandize of our fellow creatures". A sentiment that was shared by others, such as the American Quaker John Woolman who was a traveling minister and, in that function, "urged his fellow Friends to emancipate their slaves and thus quit their involvement in an injustice that was irreconcilable with Christianity". This line of thinking, however, was far from being generally agreed upon.
Entirely converse arguments were also frequently made on grounds of faith. "Early theologians helped to create a justification for slavery along Biblical lines". They did so "On the basis of supposed differences in God-given intellectual and physical abilities [and] … argued that enslaved blacks simply lacked the necessary control over themselves, their thoughts, beliefs, and passions". This line of thinking allowed those in favor of slavery to understand slavery as something that is not an evil, but in fact good for slaves themselves as, therefore, the slave system was seen as "a benevolent tool that would actually help to improve on the morally, culturally, and intellectually depleted African".
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Clotel
- a.) General info about the novel
- b.) Depiction of Slaveholders' (pro-slavery) Christianity
- c.) Depiction of 'True Christianity'
- 3. Uncle Tom's Cabin
- a.) General info about the novel
- b.) Depiction of Slaveholders' (pro-slavery) Christianity
- c.) Depiction of 'True Christianity'
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the contrasting depictions of Christianity in two antebellum slave novels, Clotel; or, The President's Daughter and Uncle Tom's Cabin, to understand how religious rhetoric was used to support or oppose slavery. The analysis focuses on how each novel portrays both pro-slavery and anti-slavery interpretations of Christianity and their respective functions within the narratives. The paper aims to demonstrate how both novels ultimately utilize the concept of a "True Christianity" to construct a powerful abolitionist argument.
- The dualistic nature of Christianity in the context of slavery.
- The use of religious rhetoric to justify and condemn slavery.
- The portrayal of "True Christianity" as antithetical to slavery.
- Comparative analysis of religious themes in Clotel and Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- The literary techniques employed to convey the different interpretations of Christianity.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by exploring the significant role of religion in the slavery debate in the United States. It highlights the conflicting interpretations of Christianity, with some using biblical justifications to support slavery while others argued against it on moral and religious grounds. The chapter introduces the central research question: How are these different Christian perspectives depicted in slave narratives, and what purposes do these depictions serve? It then introduces the two novels, Clotel and Uncle Tom's Cabin, as primary texts for this analysis, emphasizing the importance of religion in their respective abolitionist arguments.
2. Clotel: This chapter provides background information on William Wells Brown's Clotel; or, The President's Daughter, highlighting its significance as the first novel published by an African American author. It discusses Brown's aim to expose the realities of slavery and to influence British opinion against the institution. The chapter analyzes the novel's unconventional structure, characterized by a non-linear narrative and the inclusion of real and fictional accounts. It explores how this structure creates a panoramic overview of slavery, moving beyond singular narratives to illustrate the pervasive nature of the institution and its impact on multiple lives and locations.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Slave narratives, Christianity, slavery, abolitionism, Clotel; or, The President's Daughter, Uncle Tom's Cabin, William Wells Brown, Harriet Beecher Stowe, pro-slavery theology, anti-slavery theology, religious rhetoric, literary analysis, comparative literature.
Frequently asked questions
What is the document about?
The document is a language preview for an academic paper that analyzes the portrayal of Christianity in two antebellum slave novels: Clotel; or, The President's Daughter and Uncle Tom's Cabin. It explores how religious rhetoric was used to either support or oppose slavery during that period.
What are the objectives and key themes of the paper?
The paper aims to examine the contrasting depictions of Christianity in the two novels, focusing on:
- The dualistic nature of Christianity in the context of slavery.
- The use of religious rhetoric to justify and condemn slavery.
- The portrayal of "True Christianity" as antithetical to slavery.
- Comparative analysis of religious themes in Clotel and Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- The literary techniques employed to convey the different interpretations of Christianity.
What is the central research question?
The central research question is: How are different Christian perspectives depicted in slave narratives, and what purposes do these depictions serve?
What does the introduction chapter cover?
The introduction explores the role of religion in the slavery debate, highlighting conflicting interpretations of Christianity. It introduces Clotel and Uncle Tom's Cabin as primary texts for analysis, emphasizing the importance of religion in their respective abolitionist arguments.
What does the chapter on Clotel discuss?
The chapter on Clotel provides background information on William Wells Brown's novel, highlighting its significance as the first novel published by an African American author. It discusses Brown's aim to expose the realities of slavery and to influence British opinion. The chapter analyzes the novel's structure and how it creates a panoramic view of slavery.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
The keywords are: Slave narratives, Christianity, slavery, abolitionism, Clotel; or, The President's Daughter, Uncle Tom's Cabin, William Wells Brown, Harriet Beecher Stowe, pro-slavery theology, anti-slavery theology, religious rhetoric, literary analysis, comparative literature.
- Quote paper
- Lukas Bay (Author), 2022, Slaveholder's God vs. God of the Enslaves. The Dualism of Christianity in "Clotel" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1556585
