This term paper deals with the institution of slavery and the process of its abolition and takes a look at the different reactions in Romantic literature.
First of all, an overview over the historical background will be given, showing the economic importance of the slave trade at the end of the 18th century, as well as giving an outline of the con-temporary major race theories, that were underlying its justification. The movement for the abolition of slavery will be introduced, as well as some of their representa-tives, like Thomas Clarkson, or William Cowper. Subsequently, the main part of the paper will deal with William Blake and his poem "Little Black Boy". The piece will be taken as an example for 18th century abolitionist literature and will be analysed, with the help of secondary literature by Hazard Adams, D.G. Gillham, David Erdman and Lauren Henry. A special focus will be on the poem’s religious theme. The term paper will end with a conclusion, summarizing the interpretations of the before-mentioned literary scientists and evaluating the significance of the paper’s findings.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Historical background
3. William Blake: The Little Black Boy
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the intersection of slavery, abolitionism, and Romantic literature, specifically analyzing William Blake's poem "The Little Black Boy" as a representation of 18th-century abolitionist discourse and racial ideology.
- Historical context of the slave trade in the Romantic period
- Major contemporary race theories and their justifications for slavery
- The abolitionist movement and its literary responses
- Critical analysis of religious and racial themes in "The Little Black Boy"
- The ambivalent portrayal of slavery, equality, and Christian teachings in Blake's poetry
Excerpt from the Book
The Little Black Boy
My mother bore me in the southern wild, And I am black, but O! my soul is white White as an angel is the English child: But I am black as if bereav'd of light.
My mother taught me underneath a tree And sitting down before the heat of day She took me on her lap and kissed me, And pointing to the east began to say:
Look on the rising sun: there God does live And gives his light, and gives his heat away And flowers and trees and beasts and men recieve Comfort in morning joy in the noonday.
And we are put on earth a little space That we may learn to bear the beams of love. And these black bodies and this sunburnt face Is but a cloud, and like a shady grove,
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the political and historical context of the Romantic period and introduces the research focus on slavery and William Blake's poem.
2. Historical background: This section details the economic and social realities of the slave trade in the 18th century and examines the dominant racial theories and abolitionist responses of the time.
3. William Blake: The Little Black Boy: This chapter presents a close reading of the poem, discussing its religious metaphors, the concept of innocence, and the complex representation of race and equality.
4. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the varying critical interpretations of the poem and reflects on Blake's ongoing engagement with themes of slavery and human dignity.
Keywords
Romanticism, Slavery, Abolitionism, William Blake, The Little Black Boy, Race Theories, Colonialism, British Empire, Christian Universalism, Human Rights, Literature, Enlightenment, Social Reform, Religion, Equality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the relationship between slavery and abolitionism in British Romantic literature, using William Blake's poem "The Little Black Boy" as a primary case study.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The study covers the history of the slave trade, 18th-century racial hierarchies, the influence of Christian thought on abolitionist arguments, and literary representations of social reform.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how "The Little Black Boy" reflects the tensions and debates surrounding slavery and race during the Romantic era.
Which methodology is applied?
The paper employs a literary analysis approach, drawing upon secondary literature from critics such as Hazard Adams, D.G. Gillham, and David Erdman to interpret the poem's themes.
What is addressed in the main body?
The main body focuses on the historical context of the slave trade, an examination of contemporary racial theories, and a detailed stanza-by-stanza analysis of Blake's poem.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Romanticism, Slavery, Abolitionism, William Blake, Race Theories, and Christian universalism.
How does the author interpret the metaphor of the sun in Blake’s poem?
The sun is interpreted as an ambivalent symbol of God’s love; while it provides life-giving heat, it also represents the harsh reality of suffering and the "sunburnt" nature of those marginalized by slavery.
What is the "pathos" identified in the poem by critic Hazard Adams?
The pathos refers to the black boy's intense longing for the love and acceptance of the white English child, highlighting the psychological impact of inequality even within a vision of religious equality.
How does the poem address the Christian views of the time?
The poem reflects what critics call a "fractured theology," where the narrator looks to Christianity for comfort and equality while simultaneously struggling with the reality of his enslaved status.
- Citation du texte
- Uli Dürr (Auteur), 2011, Race, Slavery and Abolitionism in the Romantic Period - William Blake’s 'Little Black Boy', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186930
