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African American Literature

2002 - 2003

Ms. Linda Lorenz, instructor

Charting Information Based on the Slave Narratives

Room 327

Periods 1, 3, 5, & 7

After you have read approximately twelve narratives or excerpts from diverse texts, complete a chart answering the following questions:

1. Who was enslaved in the 18th Century? the 19th Century? Were there differences in the 100 years? If so, what?

2. What conditions of slavery differed in the two centuries?

3. Did the area or state in which the slaves were held make a difference in their treatment? in their labor? Explain.

4. What jobs did the slaves have?

5. In what ways were the slaves abused?

6. In what ways did some slaves passively or actively revolt against the system?

7. Were some slaves given more prestige than others? Explain.

8. Do you think the memories of the former slaves (from the WPA narratives) were accurate or not? Why or why not? How many years had passed since slavery had ended?

9. What forms of entertainment did the slaves have? How were marriages recognized by most slaves? By the masters?

10. How did the lifestyles of enslaved men differ from those of enslaved women?

11. What religion was practiced by slaves?

12. Did you find any evidence of education among former slaves?

After we go over your charts in class and discuss the above information, we will also discuss:

1. How, do you think, did the institution of slavery affect American history up to the present?

2. Which narrative did you think was the most interesting and why?

3. Do you think Equiano was treated differently? If so, why? How? Why, do you think, did he never return to Africa?

4. Do you think there is ever the possibility of true integration in this country? Or, would you prefer separate but equal facilities? Why or why not?

For Charts, go to the site linked here and click on "Launch the Graph Generator":

Syllabus

Slave Narratives

Charts

Letter by a slave woman

History Questions

Timeline

Beloved