In Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, author Harriet Jacobs illuminates the great disparity between the celebration of New Year’s Day for black slaves and white population during the 1800s. As Jacob affirms, New Year’s Day for the white community consists of gifts and heart-warming affection. The celebration of New Years for slaves however was not elating, but excruciating. January 1st is the date in which slaves were sold. Hence, griefs of the powerless slaves were conveyed during the sales due to the separation of family members. The implication of New Years significantly connects to the theme of the plot, which exemplifies the corruption of slavery. There is an apparent injustice with the system of slavery which revolves as the central theme of the story. In conclusion, it is perhaps ironic that the celebration of New Years is conceived as a joyous holiday that promotes family gatherings, yet for slaves it is the precise contrary.
Donald Ung
No comments:
Post a Comment