Slave narratives play a part as one of America's most important forgotten literary traditions. Rarely are they incorporated into the curriculum taught at the high school and middle school level. Yet, Slave narratives are truly worthy of academic contemplation, because of their structure, style, and importance to the abolition movement. Each narrative is essentially more than a historical account of a poor slave's life. They are heavily crafted pieces of work with specific aims in mind. Authors wrote these narratives as part as abolition propaganda to persuade the public to support their cause. The authors used various forms of rhetoric to appeal to the audience of the era, and one can see these strategies consistent throughout many slave narratives.
Unfortunately, American History tends to gloss over slavery (normally starting from colonialism and then proceeding to the civil war). It is almost erased from history books that America had a history of over three hundred years of slavery. Some argue that America's economic development and success is due to the implementation of slavery. America cannot forget the past that played such a great role in influencing the country's future. America is relatively new to the ideas racial and social equality, and some racist sentiments of the past still permeate into the society. It is vital that students understand the practices of the past, so that they may learn in the future.
In addition, Slave narratives, Such as "The Narrative of the Life of Sojourner Truth", exhibit many strategies that were meant to influence the period audience. They had to be crafted in a way that reflected society's accepted moral and social practices. For instance, it is no coincidence that Sojourner Truth's narrative was written using many religious references and stressing the role of motherhood in Sojourner's life. These aspects were deemed very noble and desirable at the time. A slave that was painted in the accepted standards of society resonated with the readers. It was something the readers could relate to and see as valuable traits of the main character. The author of Sojourner Truth's narrative portrayed Sojourner as a devoted christian (because religion was held very highly by society), and a devoted mother (mother's were put on a pedestal, and held much of the power in the household).
In addition to some forms of rhetoric used, many of these texts were influenced by white textual mediation. This means that the narratives were guided (to some extent) by outside white influences. Therefore, many white editors and scribes picked out what they thought was most important to push their cause. One cannot read these narratives as mere historical accounts of slaves' lives, but with the notion that each story was biased in some form or another. For instance, various passages in Sojourner Truth's narrative have the direct thoughts and feelings of the white author. This textual mediation guides the narrative to specific goals and aims.
Slave narratives should no longer be ignored by the public. Many narratives (Sojourner Truth's in particular) are reflective of the cultural and historical moment of the time. The aggregations of these narratives fit into a historical niche that can be viewed (not only as individual literary works) as a historical footprints. American's cannot ignore the dark shadow slavery has cast upon the continent. It is pertinent that the young are exposed early to these works so that mistakes can be analyzed and learned from; so that the youth can establish a solid foundation of a brighter and better future.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Rhetorical Situation- Sojourner Truth (Entry 7)
Like many of the slave narratives of the time, "The narrative of Sojourner Truth" consistently fallows many of the rhetorical traditions used during the 1800s. As discussed earlier, Sojourner Truth's narrative was crafted very specifically to target a certain demographic and draw upon certain emotions out of the audience. It should be of no surprise that the author of the narrative constructed Sojourner's story in a way that would appeal to the northern white christian audience. Sojourner Truth had many factors that worked against her; She was black ex-slave and a woman. In order to play upon the emotions of the readers, the author had to base the narrative on the accepted standards and norms of the time (most prevalently: Christianity in society).
One theme (in particular) the narrative fallows is the Christian spiritual biography. The role of Christianity in the narrative serves to connect the readers with the main character, and established some form of credibility so the readers can trust that Sojourner was a "virtuous" person. "Any general overview that connects rhetoric and religion must feature social practices that constitute belief: those speeches, deeds, and actions of persuasive mortals and gods" (Swearingen et al 31). The audience must be convinced that the main character, Truth, fallowed the religious and social practices of the period. The narrative is inclined to present this by highlighting many of Sojourner Truth's spiritual aspects. For example, the Author devotes a whole entire chapter to Sojourner's religious revelations named "Isabella's Religous Experience". The author even implies that Sojourner may be holy by highlighting a possible conversation with Jesus: 'Who are you?' She exclaimed, as the vision brightened into a distinct form, beaming with beauty and holiness, and radiant love...- 'I know you, and I don't know you.' Meaning, 'You seem perfectly familiar; I feel that you not only love me, but that you always have loved me" (NST 616). This vivid imagery strikes are particular chord in the reader's mind. It displays a black female conversing with the son of God: Jesus. This passage should help erase the notion that blacks were a subspecies of humans.
In addition to the establishment of the main character's religious credibility, The rhetoric of religion served as an outlet for women to openly push forward their abolition agenda. Besides the obvious inequity of blacks and whites, inequality existed between genders. Women were almost second class citizens to men, and if women wanted their argument to be taken seriously by men they needed some sort of vehicle to argue their political agenda. Luckily, women were not completely powerless in society. They held power of the household and some power in the church. "When the Grimke sisters, Angelina and Sarah, wrote against slavery, they knew well that only their religious convictions could provide them a discourse of power, credibility, and respectability, an idea that continues to play out when we look at the work of... Frederick Douglass... Sojourner Truth... and Maria Stewart" (Swearingen et al. 32). Sojourner Truth gained religious prominence through her preaching; very much the way women of the abolition movement gained influence through their christian organizations.
The fact of the matter is that religion was a very effective tool to close the gap between gender inequality. "The synergy of rhetoric and religion continues to provide ways for feminist (both male and female) to enter religious discussion, argument, and belief, often calling into question the fundamental maleness of Christian theology and of rhetoric itself" (Swearingen et al. 32-33). Making Sojourner Truth's story a religious argument for abolition aided to place women on the same level as men. As history has shown, religion's role in gender equality, race rights, and suffrage played a major role in establishing these precedents. For instance, prohibition was women's religious crusade against the burden alcohol played on society (domestic abuse being a major one). This movement was so strong that the federal government actually outlawed the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States. By leveling the playing field, women were able to get their message out about the horrors of slavery to the psyche and body. This is why religion was held to such a great degree by the female population (it gave them power otherwise they would not have).
The rhetoric of religion was dominant force that played a major role throughout Sojourner Truth's narrative. It served as a central argument to push for abolition in the narrative. One cannot deny the force that religion played in the 1800s as a source of women's power. It's predominance in many slave male and female narratives indicates that it's message was very convincing. One puts narratives like Sojourner Truth under the microscope in understand that every line and word was position for a meaningful purpose. One reads these texts not entirely as historical accounts, but some for of "propaganda" to the abolitionist movement.
Rhetoric, the Polis, and the Global Village Selected Papers From the 1998 Thirtieth Anniversary Rhetoric Society of America Conference. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1999. Google Scholar. Web. 5 Dec. 2009..
One theme (in particular) the narrative fallows is the Christian spiritual biography. The role of Christianity in the narrative serves to connect the readers with the main character, and established some form of credibility so the readers can trust that Sojourner was a "virtuous" person. "Any general overview that connects rhetoric and religion must feature social practices that constitute belief: those speeches, deeds, and actions of persuasive mortals and gods" (Swearingen et al 31). The audience must be convinced that the main character, Truth, fallowed the religious and social practices of the period. The narrative is inclined to present this by highlighting many of Sojourner Truth's spiritual aspects. For example, the Author devotes a whole entire chapter to Sojourner's religious revelations named "Isabella's Religous Experience". The author even implies that Sojourner may be holy by highlighting a possible conversation with Jesus: 'Who are you?' She exclaimed, as the vision brightened into a distinct form, beaming with beauty and holiness, and radiant love...- 'I know you, and I don't know you.' Meaning, 'You seem perfectly familiar; I feel that you not only love me, but that you always have loved me" (NST 616). This vivid imagery strikes are particular chord in the reader's mind. It displays a black female conversing with the son of God: Jesus. This passage should help erase the notion that blacks were a subspecies of humans.
In addition to the establishment of the main character's religious credibility, The rhetoric of religion served as an outlet for women to openly push forward their abolition agenda. Besides the obvious inequity of blacks and whites, inequality existed between genders. Women were almost second class citizens to men, and if women wanted their argument to be taken seriously by men they needed some sort of vehicle to argue their political agenda. Luckily, women were not completely powerless in society. They held power of the household and some power in the church. "When the Grimke sisters, Angelina and Sarah, wrote against slavery, they knew well that only their religious convictions could provide them a discourse of power, credibility, and respectability, an idea that continues to play out when we look at the work of... Frederick Douglass... Sojourner Truth... and Maria Stewart" (Swearingen et al. 32). Sojourner Truth gained religious prominence through her preaching; very much the way women of the abolition movement gained influence through their christian organizations.
The fact of the matter is that religion was a very effective tool to close the gap between gender inequality. "The synergy of rhetoric and religion continues to provide ways for feminist (both male and female) to enter religious discussion, argument, and belief, often calling into question the fundamental maleness of Christian theology and of rhetoric itself" (Swearingen et al. 32-33). Making Sojourner Truth's story a religious argument for abolition aided to place women on the same level as men. As history has shown, religion's role in gender equality, race rights, and suffrage played a major role in establishing these precedents. For instance, prohibition was women's religious crusade against the burden alcohol played on society (domestic abuse being a major one). This movement was so strong that the federal government actually outlawed the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States. By leveling the playing field, women were able to get their message out about the horrors of slavery to the psyche and body. This is why religion was held to such a great degree by the female population (it gave them power otherwise they would not have).
The rhetoric of religion was dominant force that played a major role throughout Sojourner Truth's narrative. It served as a central argument to push for abolition in the narrative. One cannot deny the force that religion played in the 1800s as a source of women's power. It's predominance in many slave male and female narratives indicates that it's message was very convincing. One puts narratives like Sojourner Truth under the microscope in understand that every line and word was position for a meaningful purpose. One reads these texts not entirely as historical accounts, but some for of "propaganda" to the abolitionist movement.
Rhetoric, the Polis, and the Global Village Selected Papers From the 1998 Thirtieth Anniversary Rhetoric Society of America Conference. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1999. Google Scholar. Web. 5 Dec. 2009.
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