Questions on William Wells Brown and Slavery
A few students have already said that they are enjoying Clotel, which is great to hear. Of course, there has been a grumble or two- but be cool my babies, press on! Ok, moving on to the William Wells Brown novel, here are a few questions for you to ponder, answer, and come to class ready to discuss. Note: If several students have asked questions by the time you go to post something, try addressing the student questions.
1. Thinking about the T.J. and Sally Hemings controversy, why is it that historians have chosen to both acknowledge and bury this information? What did it mean for the citizens of the early republic to think that their president and founder had fathered children with one of his slaves? What does it mean for modern students of history, or even the general History Channel audience?
2. What specifically can you learn about slavery as an institution from the autobiographical chapter and the body of the novel? What was the nature of the relationship between master and slave?
3. Why do you think the author chose to write in the style (both "factual" reporting and analogous) that he did? What do you think was the purpose of the story of Salome?
1. Thinking about the T.J. and Sally Hemings controversy, why is it that historians have chosen to both acknowledge and bury this information? What did it mean for the citizens of the early republic to think that their president and founder had fathered children with one of his slaves? What does it mean for modern students of history, or even the general History Channel audience?
2. What specifically can you learn about slavery as an institution from the autobiographical chapter and the body of the novel? What was the nature of the relationship between master and slave?
3. Why do you think the author chose to write in the style (both "factual" reporting and analogous) that he did? What do you think was the purpose of the story of Salome?
posted by Anonymous at 2:58 PM
3 Comments:
The realtionship between slave and master was often a close, personal relationship. It was almost as if they were family (which is strange to say). Often the slaves were born onto a plantation and could remain there until the master's death. In most cases, the master would order the release of loyal slaves upon the master's death.
In Clotel, William Wells Brown introduces the reader to a Christian family which also owns slaves. How do the Pecks rationalize owning slaves while practicing Christianity? What do you think Brown was trying to convey by telling the story of the Pecks? What observations do you think Brown was trying to make regarding Christianity and slavery?
I think William Wells Brown chose to write in the style that he did because he wanted to make the information resonate with readers by making the facts relateable. His story is more effective because readers get the benefit of having a face, so to speak, to put to slavery as a whole. Rather than getting countless numbers of nameless, faceless slaves, the readers have an idea of who the slaves were. Brown establishes an emotional connection between the reader and the characters.
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