SLAVE NARRATIVE IN AMERICAN LITERATURE

PREFACE
I feel immensely delighted to present this assignment on the topic ‘Slave narrative in
American Literature’. In this preface I have tried to give all the important and appropriate
things about the assignment.
In this assignment, I have endeavoured to make it informative and easy to understand. Each
and every topic of the assignment is well explained in detail which will enhance the depth of
the learning experience. I have also included pictures related to the topics which is my
creativity.
Slave and ex-slave narratives are important not only for what they tell us about African
American history and literature, but also because they reveal to us the complexities of the
dialogue between whites and blacks in this country in the last two centuries, particularly for
African Americans. This dialogue is implicit in the very structure of the antebellum slave
narrative, which generally centres on an African American's narrative but is prefaced by a
white-authored text and often is appended by white authenticating documents, such as letters
of reference attesting to the character and reliability of the slave narrator himself or
herself. Through this work we will also know about the contemporary American society.
It is sincerely hoped that this assignment is immensely helpful to me. I have given all the
information in this project by consulting books and e-resources.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this assignment, successfully many people have best owned upon
me through blessings and the heart pledged support, this time I am utilizing to thank all
people who have been concerned with this project.
Primarily, I would thank God for being able to complete this project with success. Then I
would like to thank our respected professor Ms. Oly Roy, whose valuable guidance has been
the ones that helped me paten this project and make it fully proof success. I am also indebted
to all other professors of English department for their constant support, inspiration and
suggestions.
Last but not the least, I would like to thank my parents and classmates for their help and
motivation in completing the assignment.
 CONTENTS

SL. PAGE
TOPIC
NO. NO.
1 INTRODUCTION 1
2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF SLAVERY
FEATURES OF SLAVE NARRATIVE IN AMERICAN
3 LITERATURE

PROMINENT EXAMPLES OF SLAVE NARRATIVES IN

4 AMERICAN LITERATURE

5 CONCLUSION
6 BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION
Slave narratives are an essential part of American literature, providing a firsthand account of
the experiences of enslaved individuals in the United States. These narratives, often
autobiographical in nature, were written by former slaves who sought to share their stories
and bring attention to the harsh realities of slavery. Many of these narratives were published
in the 18th and 19th centuries, and they played a crucial role in shaping public opinion about
slavery and the abolitionist movement.
African American literature is characterized by writers of African descent. Different forms of
African-American literature came about as early as before the Civil War. The first known
African-American piece was written by Lucy Terry and was titled Bars Fights. This ballad
was written in 1746 after an Indian attack on Deerfield, Massachusetts, where Terry was
enslaved. The inspiration for this ballad was Terry’s experience of witnessing the murder of
many residents. However, this ballad was not published until 1855. The earliest African
American literature written in the United States were noted by the dominance of slave
narratives.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF SLAVERY

During the 350-year history of the transatlantic slave trade, Europeans made more than
54,000 voyages to and from Africa to send by force at least ten to twelve million Africans to
the Americas. Scholars estimate that close to 400,000 Africans were sold into slavery in
North America, the large majority ending up in the American South.
 In the antebellum South, slavery provided the economic foundation that supported the
dominant planter ruling class. Under slavery the structure of white supremacy was
hierarchical and patriarchal, resting on male privilege and masculinist honor, entrenched
economic power, and raw force. Black people necessarily developed their sense of identity,
family relations, communal values, religion, and to an impressive extent their cultural
autonomy by exploiting contradictions and opportunities within a complex fabric of
paternalistic give-and-take. The working relationships and sometimes tacit expectations and
obligations between slave and slaveholder made possible a functional, and in some cases
highly profitable, economic system. Despite the exploitativeness and oppression of this
system, slaves emerge in numerous antebellum slave narratives as actively, sometimes
aggressively, in search of freedom, whether in the context of everyday speech and action or
through covert and overt means of resistance.

Defeat in the Civil War severely destabilized slavery-based social, political, and economic
hierarchies, demanding in some cases that white southerners develop new ones. After the
Civil War, the southern ruling class was compelled to adapt to new exigencies of race
relations and a restructured, as well as reconstructing, economic system. For African
Americans, the end of slavery brought hope for unprecedented control of their own lives and
economic prospects. After Emancipation, however, most black southerners found themselves
steadily drawn into an exploitative sharecropping system that effectively prohibited their
becoming property owners with a chance to claim their share of the American Dream. Unlike
many poor whites who also found themselves under the thumb of white landowners, the rural
black masses in the post-Reconstruction South were gradually subjected to a cradle-to-grave
segregation regime designed not simply to separate the races but to create a permanent
labouring underclass different in degree but not fundamentally in kind from the slave
population of the antebellum era. By the turn of the century segregation had robbed black
Southerners of their political rights as well as their economic opportunity and social mobility.

FEATURES OF SLAVE NARRATIVE IN AMERICAN LITERATURE

Key features of slave narratives in American literature include:

1. Firsthand Accounts: Most slave narratives are autobiographical, written by individuals who
had experienced slavery firsthand. These narratives offer a unique and personal perspective
on the institution of slavery.

2. Purpose and Audience: Many slave narratives were written with a specific purpose in mind,
often to advocate for the abolition of slavery. The intended audience varied, but abolitionists
were a primary target, as these narratives aimed to sway public opinion against the
continuation of slavery.
3. Themes: Common themes in slave narratives include the brutality of slavery, the
dehumanization of enslaved individuals, the struggle for freedom, and the quest for education
and literacy. Narratives often detailed the physical and emotional abuse suffered by slaves
and highlighted their resilience in the face of adversity.

4. Spiritual and Religious Themes: Many slave narratives incorporate spiritual and religious
themes, as Christianity played a significant role in the lives of enslaved individuals. Some
narratives explored the tension between Christian teachings and the harsh realities of slavery.

5. Narrative Structure: While some slave narratives followed a linear chronological structure,
others employed a more episodic approach, focusing on specific incidents or themes. The
narrative style could vary depending on the author's background and literary influences.

PROMINENT EXAMPLES OF SLAVE NARRATIVES IN AMERICAN

LITERATURE

Some of the prominent examples of slave narratives in American literature include:

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an 1845 memoir and treatise
on abolition written by African-American orator and former slave Frederick Douglass during
his time in Lynn, Massachusetts.[1] It is generally held to be the most famous of a number
of narratives written by former slaves during the same period. In factual detail, the text
describes the events of his life and is considered to be one of the most influential pieces of
literature to fuel the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century in the United States.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass comprises eleven chapters that recount
Douglass's life as a slave and his ambition to become a free man. It contains two
introductions by well-known white abolitionists: a preface by William Lloyd Garrison and a
letter by Wendell Phillips, both arguing for the veracity of the account and the literacy of its
author.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is an autobiographical narrative written by Harriet
Jacobs, under the pseudonym Linda Brent. Published in 1861, the narrative provides a
firsthand account of Jacobs' life as a slave and her struggles for freedom. Here is a summary
of the key themes and events in the narrative:

1. Early Years: The narrative begins with Jacobs' childhood in slavery in North Carolina. She
details the complexities of her family relationships, as well as the oppressive conditions of
slavery.
2. Sexual Harassment and Abuse: One of the central themes of the narrative is Jacobs'
experience with sexual harassment and abuse. She describes the unwanted advances of her
master, Dr. Flint, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on her.
3. Motherhood: Jacobs becomes a mother to two children, Joseph and Benny, whose father is
Dr. Flint. The challenges of motherhood under slavery are explored, as Jacobs grapples with
the fear of her children being sold away from her.
4. Escape: To avoid Dr. Flint's advances and protect her children, Jacobs decides to escape. She
spends seven years hiding in a tiny attic space in her grandmother's home, witnessing the
hardships of confinement and isolation.
5. Life in Hiding: While in hiding, Jacobs faces numerous challenges, including the constant
fear of discovery, the difficulty of sustaining herself and her children, and the emotional toll
of separation from her family.
6. Relationships with Northerners: Jacobs develops relationships with sympathetic
individuals in the North, including Northerners who are actively involved in the abolitionist
movement. These connections play a crucial role in her eventual path to freedom.
7. Emancipation: After several years in hiding, Jacobs seizes an opportunity to escape to the
North, where she eventually finds freedom. The narrative concludes with her reflections on
the importance of education and her dedication to the abolitionist cause.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is unique among slave narratives for its focus on the
perspective of an enslaved woman and the intersection of race and gender. Harriet Jacobs'
work contributes significantly to our understanding of the complexities of slavery, especially
regarding the struggles faced by enslaved women and mothers. The narrative serves as a
powerful testimony to the resilience and strength of those who sought freedom from the
bonds of slavery.

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, written by Olaudah Equiano and
first published in 1789, is a compelling autobiographical account that provides insight into
the life of a man who was enslaved as a child in Africa, endured the horrors of the
transatlantic slave trade, and eventually gained his freedom.

Early Life in Africa:

 Equiano was born in what is now Nigeria, West Africa, in the Igbo region.
 Describes his peaceful and prosperous childhood in a traditional African society.
 At the age of eleven, Equiano and his sister are kidnapped by local slave traders and
separated.
2. Middle Passage and Enslavement:
 Equiano goes through the brutal Middle Passage, the journey across the Atlantic
Ocean aboard a slave ship.
 Describes the horrific conditions on the slave ship, including overcrowding, disease,
and brutality.
 Arrives in the British colonies in the Americas and is sold into slavery.
3. Life as a Slave:
 Experiences various masters, each with different treatment ranging from relatively
humane to harsh.
 Highlights the dehumanizing effects of slavery, the cruelty of slave owners, and the
challenges faced by enslaved individuals.
4. Travel and Business Ventures:
 Equiano gains some privileges, such as learning to read and write, and starts engaging
in trade.
 Travels extensively, working for different masters and participating in various
economic activities.
5. Spiritual and Intellectual Growth:
 Converts to Christianity and explores the complexities of his religious beliefs.
 Emphasizes the importance of education and self-improvement.
6. Purchasing his Freedom:
 Eventually earns enough money through his various enterprises to buy his own
freedom.
 Gains freedom in 1766.
7. Abolitionist Activities:
 Becomes actively involved in the movement to abolish the transatlantic slave trade.
 Travels to England and becomes a prominent figure in the abolitionist circles.
8. Legacy and Importance:
 Emphasizes the humanity of Africans and challenges prevailing stereotypes about
them.
 "The Interesting Narrative" becomes a key text in the abolitionist movement, offering
a firsthand account of the horrors of slavery.

Olaudah Equiano's narrative is significant not only for its historical value but also for its
contribution to the abolitionist cause. It provided a powerful and personal voice to the horrors
of the transatlantic slave trade and played a role in shaping public opinion toward the
abolition of slavery.

CONCLUSION
Slave narratives are important because they offer a glimpse into African American history
and the foundation of African American literature. In addition, as mentioned above, one of
the functions of slave narratives was to create a dialogue between African Americans and
white Americans around the institution of slavery.
In conclusion, the slave narrative is a powerful and enduring genre that not only played a
pivotal role in the abolition of slavery but also left a lasting imprint on American literature
and the ongoing discourse on race and social justice. These narratives stand as testaments to
the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression and continue to inspire
conversations about freedom, equality, and the pursuit of justice.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS
1. Frederick Douglass.(2016). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American
Slave. New York, U.S.A: Dover Publications.
2. Harriet Jacobs. (2014). Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. New York, U.S.A: Dover
Publications.
3. Olaudah Equiano. (2021). The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano:
With a foreword by David Olusoga. London, England: Hodder and Stoughton Ltd.

E-RESOURCES
1. https://www.sttammanylibrary.org/blogs/post/brief-history-of-african-american-
literature-part-1-slave-narratives/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_narrative#:~:text=The%20slave
%20narrative%20is%20a,as%20separate%20books%20or%20pamphlets.
3. https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/intro.html
4. https://www.britannica.com/art/slave-narrative