After I had done some more reading of The Book of Negroes (Lawrence Hill) I realized that looking a the story through a Feminist lens was a good way to view the main character Aminata Diallo. Aminata had lots of struggles being an African American and being a female in a time where that wasn't excepted and was often frown upon. Aminata struggled just live everyday just because she was female. Viewing her through the feminist lens you can see the struggle she faced just to be heard or seen. Aminata faced situations like when she was riding the ship over to South Carolina to become a slave. To survive to took a lot of courage and strength as well as the will to want to live. "Beauty comes and goes. Strength, you will keep forever". (Hill pg20) This quote helps to describe the strength she carried with her and a sense of hope that was kept for a better future. Aminata saw smelt and heard things while travelling to the United States that no person should ever endure. The men were in charge and thought of the females as less good, weak and helpless. No to mention that they did not treated them well at all. Even though at times Aminata felt weak and helpless, she also had the perserverace and strength which is what sustain her sanity. "Many times during the long journey, I was terrified beyond description, yet somehow my mind remained intact". (Hill pg57) This is Aminata explaining that she is not quite sure how she was able to mentally stay strong when everyone else around her was falling apart.
The feminist lens has is important way to view The Book of Negroes as the main character Aminata is a female that is compelled to be a strong and independent women that wants it make an impact in the world. Aminata would not settle for anything less and that is how she accomplished so much.
Character profile of Aminata
Hill, Lawrence.
The Book of Negroes: London. Doubleday, 2009. Print.
Hey sarah,
ReplyDeleteI agree that Aminata possess strong feminist characteristics. I like how you included the description of the smells and sounds she had to endure while on the boat to the States. While reading this section I was blown away by the intense description, it was like I could picture myself being there but never could I even imagine how she survived on it for so long, having to constantly breathe that in. Such an incredible story.
Great post!
-Kristen Kirschner
Hey Sarah, I agree that the feminism literary theory was an important way to analyze this novel. It seems like women are portrayed as strong, independent and smart in this book. I like the description you used in this blog post. Keep up the good work :)
ReplyDelete~Janelle