The book, ‘The Prostrate State: South Carolina Under Negro Government,’ was written by James Shepherd Pike. It was initially published in the year 1874. However, its reprint has been done in 2016. James Shepherd Pike, who was a veteran anti-slavery journalist in 1873, was sent to South Carolina as a reporter. He was then working under the New York Tribune as a report to provide a progressive report of state’s reconstruction government. During this period, James wrote some articles that were published in the New York. The articles were later combined to form a book titled, the prostrate state. According to James, the government of southern Carolina was politically corrupt, and there was intense public embezzlement of the public funds. The aim of this essay is to provide a comprehensive review of the chapter of the ‘The Prostrate State: South Carolina Under Negro Government.’
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Summary of the Content
3. Evaluation of the Book
4. Conclusion
5. Reference
Objectives and Topics
This essay aims to provide a comprehensive review and analytical overview of James Shepherd Pike’s work, "The Prostrate State: South Carolina Under Negro Government," focusing on his contemporary reporting of the socio-political climate in South Carolina during the Reconstruction era.
- The socio-political dynamics of South Carolina during the Reconstruction period.
- The impact of slavery, poverty, and systemic oppression on social stratification.
- Criticism of the governance and legislative processes under the prevailing political climate.
- The relationship between race, intellectual hierarchy, and economic inequality.
- Historical evaluation of the transformation of social institutions post-Civil War.
Excerpt from the Book
Summary of the Content
The chapter one of the book commences by providing a general view of the Columbia which is a capital city of southern Carolina. The city is located in the geographical center of the country. The environment is endowed with wild animals, shady residences, and nice conditions for driving and riding. However, during Christmas and New Year the country experienced extreme cold which made activities such as skating and sleighing. The author reports at the present continuous tense where he says, “Yesterday, about 4 p.m., the assembled wisdom of the state, whose achievements are illustrated on that theatre, issued forth from the state-house”. The crowd, therefore, represented a significant percentage of the elite population. The assembly was formed by individuals from African state. From the look of things, it seemed possible for the elegant looking men to crowd the market-house or a courthouse in a random manner.
The objective of every physiognomy and Negro was to present themselves for everyone to see them. They ranged from rough-hewn customer to genteel serving-man. The variedness’ of the dresses they wore extremely conspicuous. However, one can quickly identify the second-hand frock-coat and threadbare. Contrary, there was some disdain of modesties in the dirty garments used in the field. Those were mainly the slouch hats, and stub-jackets meant for soiling labor. It was nearly impossible to hide the old, torn trousers. The barren ground and the dusky roads are the principal representatives of the legislative boundary of South Carolina.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This section introduces James Shepherd Pike and his background as a journalist for the New York Tribune, establishing the context for his reporting on South Carolina's reconstruction government.
Summary of the Content: This chapter provides an overview of Columbia, South Carolina, and describes the author's observations of the social landscape, including the legislature and the visible class distinctions of the time.
Evaluation of the Book: This analysis examines the author's focus on the failures of the Reconstruction government and his critical perspective on the political and social events of the 1870s.
Conclusion: This section synthesizes the primary findings of the review, emphasizing the historical relevance of the text in understanding the complexities of the Reconstruction era.
Reference: This section lists the bibliographic detail of the primary text being reviewed.
Keywords
Reconstruction, South Carolina, James Shepherd Pike, slavery, governance, racial inequality, legislation, poverty, history, journalism, social stratification, political corruption, American history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this publication?
The work is a critical review of James Shepherd Pike’s 1874 book, which documents the political and social conditions in South Carolina during the era of Reconstruction.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the impact of slavery, the transition of the government, racial tensions, economic disparity, and the role of the press in reporting historical changes.
What is the main research objective of this essay?
The essay aims to provide a comprehensive review and analysis of the chapters in Pike's book to offer insight into his perspective on the political and social failures of that period.
What methodology does the author use in the book?
The author uses a journalistic approach, based on his role as a reporter for the New York Tribune, documenting observations and political events as they occurred in the 1870s.
What does the main body of the review cover?
It covers a summary of the book’s observations, a critique of the author's arguments regarding the Reconstruction government, and an analysis of the themes of racism, education, and poverty.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Reconstruction, South Carolina, governance, racial inequality, and historical journalism.
How does the reviewer perceive the author’s tone?
The reviewer notes that the author seems to despise the governing authorities with significant passion and selects specific events to support his particular arguments about the failure of reconstruction.
What is the historical significance of the described events?
The book serves as a primary resource for historians to understand the contemporary viewpoints and the intense social and racial conflicts present in South Carolina during the early Reconstruction years.
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- Bachelor James Muthanga (Autor:in), 2018, A Book Review about "The Prostrate State: South Carolina Under Negro Government" by James Shepherd Pike, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/415940
