Although the British participation in the triangle of slavery is clearly evident, the number of publications on abolitionist texts could not compete with those being published by American authors. But the British were the first to abolish slavery officially in 1807 and therefore it appears to be appropriate looking at British abolitionist texts more closely. Many British narrations on slaves have a protagonist who should appeal to the readership in a positive way by depicting him in very "European" style which means to ascribe several positive features to him as looking European, being educated and civilized and so on.
Those created texts can of course only give a very limited insight into the life of an African slave, whereas an account as given by Mary Prince for instance claims its status of being authentic. Therefore I will take a closer look at her narration with respect to her self-depiction, especially the way her role as female slave is portrayed and to what extent physical abuse and ill-treatment plays a crucial role within her story and within the system of slavery as such. Furthermore I will briefly analyze Pringle’s role as editor of the text and how far he has influenced the authenticity of Prince’s narration. In order to show some contrastive writing, I will examine the role of Edgeworth’s "grateful negro" and whether her fictional writing can be considered an abolitionist piece of literature or not.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Self depiction and depiction of characters in literature on slavery
2.1 Mary Prince’s self depiction in her novel
2.1.1 Her role as a female “slave”
2.1.2 Violence, punishment and physical struggles
2.1.3 Thomas Pringle’s role in publishing the story
2.2 Edgeworth’s depiction of “Caesar”
2.2.1 Caesar’s role as the “grateful negro”
2.2.2 Abolitionist aspects of the account
3 Conclusion
4 Literature
Objectives and Core Topics
This paper examines the self-depiction and character portrayal in literature concerning slavery, with a primary focus on the authenticity of Mary Prince's slave narrative and the abolitionist tendencies in Maria Edgeworth’s fiction.
- Analysis of Mary Prince's self-perception as a female slave.
- Investigation of the role of physical violence and abuse in slave narratives.
- Evaluation of Thomas Pringle’s editorial influence on the authenticity of Prince’s story.
- Contrastive analysis of Edgeworth’s "The Grateful Negro" regarding its abolitionist themes.
- Exploration of colonial paternalism versus authentic representation in 18th and 19th-century literature.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.2 Violence, punishment and physical struggles
One might suppose that violence at first plays an important role in Mary Prince’s account when she is sold to Captain I and his woman (2004, 12-13) however there is already a decisive notion of violence when Mary lived at the Williams. At this stage of her life Mary Prince learned how her mistress bore the “ill-treatment” of her husband “with great patience” what led to an even closer connection between her and her mistress (2004, 8), (Simmons 90). Therefore Mary is used to physical abuse and violence towards other women from childhood.
Talking about Mary’s self depiction when it comes to violence, she first of all shows herself sympathetic about the bodily abuse of Hetty, she feels a certain kinship with (Prince 2004, 14-16), (Simmons 92). After Hetty’s death it is Mary who “aligns herself with Hetty, this time on the level of labor” (Simmons 92). Her fears “that [her] turn would come next” (Prince 2004, 14) soon come true when she is severely punished by Captain I and his wife as well several times. The way Mary describes the endless beatings and floggings (2004, 16-18) she automatically evokes the reader’s pity who then only wants the narration to turn because it is really difficult to stand such a detailed description of physical struggles.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the context of British abolitionist literature and introduces the research focus on Mary Prince’s authentic narrative and Maria Edgeworth’s fictional characters.
2 Self depiction and depiction of characters in literature on slavery: This core section analyzes how Mary Prince portrays her own identity and experiences of violence, while also exploring the editorial role of Thomas Pringle and the characterization of "Caesar" in Edgeworth's work.
2.1 Mary Prince’s self depiction in her novel: This chapter investigates how Prince constructs her identity as a woman and slave throughout her journey and experiences.
2.1.1 Her role as a female “slave”: This sub-chapter explores Prince’s childhood, her domestic duties, and her development of self-awareness and desire for freedom.
2.1.2 Violence, punishment and physical struggles: This sub-chapter discusses the impact of physical abuse on Prince’s narrative and how she uses these accounts to demand empathy and authenticity.
2.1.3 Thomas Pringle’s role in publishing the story: This sub-chapter examines Pringle’s editorial involvement and potential modifications to ensure the narrative resonated with a British readership.
2.2 Edgeworth’s depiction of “Caesar”: This chapter analyzes the fictional portrayal of a slave within a colonial Jamaican setting.
2.2.1 Caesar’s role as the “grateful negro”: This sub-chapter focuses on Caesar’s loyalty to his master and how it reflects colonial paternalism rather than a fight for freedom.
2.2.2 Abolitionist aspects of the account: This sub-chapter evaluates whether Edgeworth’s text should be considered abolitionist literature or a romanticized depiction of plantation life.
3 Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, noting the contrast between Prince’s authentic testimony and Edgeworth’s literary construct.
4 Literature: This section lists the academic sources utilized for the research.
Keywords
Slavery, Abolitionism, Mary Prince, Maria Edgeworth, The Grateful Negro, Slave Narrative, Colonial Paternalism, Authenticity, Identity, Violence, British Literature, 19th Century, Self-depiction, Thomas Pringle, Plantation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic paper?
The paper examines how slave narratives portray personal identity and whether fictional texts from the same era align with genuine abolitionist goals.
What are the central thematic areas?
The key themes include the authenticity of slave narratives, the representation of physical violence, the role of editors in shaping testimonies, and the depiction of the "grateful slave" archetype.
What is the core research question?
The paper investigates how Mary Prince depicts her own experience as a slave and contrasts this with the fictional, often paternalistic, portrayal of slaves in Maria Edgeworth’s literature.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses literary analysis, comparing biographical slave testimonies with fictional narratives, while incorporating critical perspectives from existing academic secondary sources.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body is divided into an analysis of Mary Prince’s personal narrative—focusing on her self-perception and experiences with violence—and a critique of Maria Edgeworth’s fictional character "Caesar."
Which keywords characterize this work?
Important keywords include slavery, abolitionism, Mary Prince, Maria Edgeworth, authenticity, identity, colonial paternalism, and narrative representation.
How does Mary Prince differentiate between her status as a slave and a servant?
The paper suggests that Prince uses this distinction not necessarily to redefine her legal status, but to establish distance between herself and other free individuals in her environment.
Does the author consider Maria Edgeworth’s "The Grateful Negro" an abolitionist text?
The author argues that while it may appear to be abolitionist on the surface, its lack of authentic depictions of violence and its focus on colonial paternalism suggest otherwise.
What role does Thomas Pringle play in Mary Prince’s narrative?
Pringle acted as the editor who compiled and potentially smoothed out Prince’s story, though the author questions to what extent Pringle’s editorial choices might have influenced the authenticity of her voice.
Why is the "grateful negro" trope considered problematic in this analysis?
The author views this trope as a reflection of colonial paternalism where the slave’s loyalty to the master is prioritized over the human desire for freedom, thereby undermining the abolitionist message.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Fabian Zschiesche (Autor:in), 2009, The portrayal of slavery in 19th century British literature. Mary Prince’s self depiction in "The History Of Mary Prince" and Edgeworth’s depiction of "Caesar" in "The Grateful Negro", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368118
