"The Middle Passage"
by Olaudah Equiano
At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel. But this disappointment was the least of my sorrow. The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time, and some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air; but now that the whole ship’s cargo were confined together, it became absolutely pestilential. The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.
http://www.princeton.edu/~howarth/304.Projects/Erera/Pages/Main.htm
Reflection:
I chose this passage because I felt that it displayed the most brutal imagery of the hardships slaves were forced to endure. The main point of this passage is that American slaves hard the hardest time coming and living in America. I was shocked to notice that although many people sympathize with the Native Americans when, although they were treated unfairly, never had to endure anything quite as bad as the slaves. This is similar to today because many people think they are having a rough time because they are struggling with work, kids, and debts when there are many people who are much worse off.
Dear Diary,
Our journey was not very easy, but I am thankful to God that it was not as bad as it could have been. God kept me safe, he answered my prayers, and now I am in America! I feel terribly for the people in this narrative, which I was told by one of the others on the boat. I do not exactly understand what a slave is or how someone becomes a slave, but it does not sound very nice. We have arrived in a town and are now looking for transportation to Beth's plantation. Maybe she will explain what a slave is. Perhaps they are as interesting as the Indians. Oh, I still have not seen an Indian! How exciting that would be! I am so happy to be in America, my new home, a place of freedom, of beginnings, and where I will finally be reunited with my cousin Beth! Oh happy day!
Essential Question Reflection:
The heart of all American struggle during this period lies within the topics presented throughout this narrative. It is evident that slaves would feel as if the land of the American Dream, where individuals can start over for a better life was a nasty lie. The slaves most likely laughed at hopefuls, knowing that if the land of the free could have slaves, then it could also lie about other things. Further, as individuals arrive only to realize that this dream is clearly out of their reach, hostility builds and drives community apart. When certain groups of individuals are prevented from achieving this American Dream, community will be torn apart.
by Olaudah Equiano
At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel. But this disappointment was the least of my sorrow. The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time, and some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air; but now that the whole ship’s cargo were confined together, it became absolutely pestilential. The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost inconceivable.
http://www.princeton.edu/~howarth/304.Projects/Erera/Pages/Main.htm
Reflection:
I chose this passage because I felt that it displayed the most brutal imagery of the hardships slaves were forced to endure. The main point of this passage is that American slaves hard the hardest time coming and living in America. I was shocked to notice that although many people sympathize with the Native Americans when, although they were treated unfairly, never had to endure anything quite as bad as the slaves. This is similar to today because many people think they are having a rough time because they are struggling with work, kids, and debts when there are many people who are much worse off.
Dear Diary,
Our journey was not very easy, but I am thankful to God that it was not as bad as it could have been. God kept me safe, he answered my prayers, and now I am in America! I feel terribly for the people in this narrative, which I was told by one of the others on the boat. I do not exactly understand what a slave is or how someone becomes a slave, but it does not sound very nice. We have arrived in a town and are now looking for transportation to Beth's plantation. Maybe she will explain what a slave is. Perhaps they are as interesting as the Indians. Oh, I still have not seen an Indian! How exciting that would be! I am so happy to be in America, my new home, a place of freedom, of beginnings, and where I will finally be reunited with my cousin Beth! Oh happy day!
Essential Question Reflection:
The heart of all American struggle during this period lies within the topics presented throughout this narrative. It is evident that slaves would feel as if the land of the American Dream, where individuals can start over for a better life was a nasty lie. The slaves most likely laughed at hopefuls, knowing that if the land of the free could have slaves, then it could also lie about other things. Further, as individuals arrive only to realize that this dream is clearly out of their reach, hostility builds and drives community apart. When certain groups of individuals are prevented from achieving this American Dream, community will be torn apart.
EQ: Slave Narrative
How is community impacted when the American Dream, which supplies indivduals with false hope for success, may not be accessible to all who seek it and creates intolerance among society?
The heart of all American struggle during this period lies within the topics presented throughout this narrative. It is evident that slaves would feel as if the land of the American Dream, where individuals can start over for a better life was a nasty lie. The slaves most likely laughed at hopefuls, knowing that if the land of the free could have slaves, then it could also lie about other things. Further, as individuals arrive only to realize that this dream is clearly out of their reach, hostility builds and drives community apart. When certain groups of individuals are prevented from achieving this American Dream, community will be torn apart.
How is community impacted when the American Dream, which supplies indivduals with false hope for success, may not be accessible to all who seek it and creates intolerance among society?
The heart of all American struggle during this period lies within the topics presented throughout this narrative. It is evident that slaves would feel as if the land of the American Dream, where individuals can start over for a better life was a nasty lie. The slaves most likely laughed at hopefuls, knowing that if the land of the free could have slaves, then it could also lie about other things. Further, as individuals arrive only to realize that this dream is clearly out of their reach, hostility builds and drives community apart. When certain groups of individuals are prevented from achieving this American Dream, community will be torn apart.
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