America’s history would lack a significant part without the dark chapter of slavery. The horrors and cruelties of the exploitation of blacks are written down in so-called slave narratives, being told or written by former slaves themselves. In the 19thcentury, both quantity and popularity of this literary form rose, for in the face of the abolitionist struggle against slavery the narratives were published as political documents, designed to increase the opposition. Slave narratives offer a striking insight into the reality of being a slave; they appeal to the readers’ hearts in order to increase their sympathy for slaves and emphasize the inhumanity of the institution and its followers. Having a didactic tone, the narratives speak for equality between whites and African Americans, which are not to be treated as the inferior race, and criticize the religious hypocrisy of the whites. Black people, on the contrary, are regarded as the true worshippers. Moreover, a certain pattern can be traced in most of these narratives as they commonly depict the slave’s growing up, the separation from family and beloved friends, years of cruel treatment, the longing for freedom and the final escape. The characteristics mentioned above are by and large true for the two slave narratives that ought to be analyzed in the following. Both inThe History of Mary Prince and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,the narrators are born into slavery, separated from their families and treated cruelly as slaves. The stories also include religious, sentimental, violent and didactic characteristics. They attempt to overcome society’s prejudices about black people and to support the struggle against slavery. Most important, Prince’sHistoryis written from a female point of view, thus emphasizing domesticity, emotions and faith, whereas Douglass’ Narrative bears the influence of male ideals such as courage, manliness and education. In the following, both similarities and differences between the two slave narratives ought to be analyzed against the background of the genre and its conventions. The first crucial difference betweenThe History of Mary Prince and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass becomes obvious when observing title and subtitle of Douglass’ Narrative which is fully named Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass - An American Slave - Written by Himself. [...]
Table of Contents
1. A Comparison of the Slave Narratives The History of Mary Prince and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Research Objective and Topics
This paper aims to provide a comparative analysis of the slave narratives "The History of Mary Prince" and "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," examining how both texts adhere to and diverge from the conventions of the slave narrative genre based on their distinct gendered perspectives.
- Analysis of structural and thematic conventions in slave narratives.
- Comparison of female-centered versus male-centered narrative perspectives.
- Examination of the role of literacy and education as tools of resistance.
- Critique of religious hypocrisy within the institution of slavery.
- Evaluation of how the narrators confront or subvert societal prejudices.
Excerpt from the Book
The first crucial difference between The History of Mary Prince and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass becomes obvious when observing title and subtitle of Douglass’ Narrative which is fully named Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass – An American Slave – Written by Himself.
The latter appendix reveals the emphasis on the former slave’s literacy which indicates not his inferiority but his equality to the white race, both in terms of education and intelligence. Due to his eloquence, Douglass manages to touch the hearts of the audience and thus to provoke sympathy for the victims of slavery. Prince’s story is not written by herself but – in order to maintain the reader’s belief in authenticity – subtitled “A West Indian Slave – Related by Herself”. Although the story is narrated by Prince, the editor’s influence shaped the narration; for example experiences that did not contribute to Prince’s innocent image, such as possibly having affairs, were simply omitted. In order to further emphasize the authenticity of the text and to provoke credibility among white readers, the editor included supplements and additional supportive narratives that were in some books longer than the actual narrative of the protagonist. Also in the Narrative, Douglass includes such supplements; however the emphasis is on his story.
The book covers of the editions this analysis is based on also differ. Whereas Prince, wearing chains, kneels in a humble and begging position, Douglass’ portrait shows self-confidence and education. Here, the different points of views become obvious, that are on the one hand that of a humble female victim, and on the other hand that of an educated male hero.
Summary of Chapters
1. A Comparison of the Slave Narratives The History of Mary Prince and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: This chapter analyzes the similarities and differences between the two works, focusing on how they utilize genre conventions to combat slavery, while highlighting the contrast between Prince's focus on domesticity and emotions versus Douglass' emphasis on courage and intellect.
Keywords
Slave narratives, Mary Prince, Frederick Douglass, Abolition, Literature, Gender roles, Literacy, Christian hypocrisy, Resistance, Slavery, Human rights, Autobiography, Nineteenth century, Authenticity, Genre conventions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
This work provides a comparative study of "The History of Mary Prince" and "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" to understand how slave narratives functioned as political tools in the 19th century.
What are the central themes explored in the text?
The central themes include the impact of slavery on family structure, the role of education in achieving freedom, the influence of religion, and the psychological impact of dehumanization.
What is the overarching research goal?
The goal is to analyze how the gender-specific experiences of the authors shape their respective narratives and how these differences influence the readers' perception of the slave experience.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a comparative literary analysis, examining both texts against the backdrop of common genre conventions and historical contexts of slave narratives.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body investigates childhood initiation into slavery, the experience of separation from families, the significance of literacy, religious criticism, and the different modes of rebellion portrayed by Prince and Douglass.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include slave narratives, abolitionist literature, gendered narratives, literacy, and resistance.
How does the role of the editor affect Mary Prince's narrative?
The editor shaped Prince's story to maintain an "innocent" image for white readers, which involved omitting experiences that might have compromised her perceived moral standing.
In what way does Frederick Douglass redefine his identity through education?
Douglass views education as the fundamental tool for undermining the power of white slaveholders, moving from an identity as property to a self-determined man.
- Quote paper
- Julia Deitermann (Author), 2004, A Comparison of the Slave Narratives "The History of Mary Prince" and "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/61096
