All Flashcards
What is the significance of slave narratives as a literary genre?
They provided firsthand accounts of slavery's brutality, emphasized the humanity of enslaved people, and fueled the abolitionist movement.
What was the significance of enslaved people learning to read?
Despite it being illegal, learning to read empowered enslaved people and challenged the dehumanizing nature of slavery.
What was the impact of Harriet Jacobs hiding for seven years?
She hid in a tiny attic to avoid her master's advances, showcasing extreme resistance to sexual exploitation.
What was the effect of Mary Prince's testimony?
It helped sway public opinion against slavery in Britain.
What did the narratives of Black women do for the abolitionist movement?
They were crucial for the abolitionist movement, galvanizing Northern opposition to slavery.
What was the impact of women's narratives on early feminist movements?
They informed early feminist movements by highlighting the intersection of race and gender oppression.
How do men's and women's slave narratives compare in their focus?
Women: Domestic life, motherhood, maintaining dignity amidst sexual exploitation. Men: Autonomy, reclaiming manhood, physical resistance.
How do men's and women's slave narratives compare in their portrayal of gender?
Women: Virtuous, pious, devoted to family, vulnerable. Men: Assertive masculinity, defiance, self-reliance.
Compare resistance vs. accommodation strategies used by enslaved women.
Resistance: Fighting back, abortion-inducing plants, infanticide, running away, hiding. Accommodation: Adhering to gender norms to appeal to white readers.