Thursday, 12 May 2016

ISP Blog post #4 - Book of Negroes

Throughout the Book of Negroes the story can be interpreted through Archetypal literary criticism which looks at shaping the story by the cultural and psychological myths that lay within the story. In The Book of Negroes we can see the main character Aminiata in her earlier years as a slave. The community viewed her as a matriarch because of her caring personality and her naturing ways. She took on the role as a midwife in the slave community. As the midwife she brought new life into the world by delivering babies. Aminiata was considered the 'bringer of new life'. Her ability to help mothers through the process of giving birth and taking car of the babies made her a respected leader in the community. She was called upon to travel through other slave communities to help delivery babies as news spread about her wisdom and abilities.

As Aminiata's life progresses she gains knowledge through the teaching of Mr. Lindo one of her owners.  He taught her math and book keeping and rewarded her with new books as she learned the lesson that he had taught her. She was very intelligent and learn things easily. She sought knowledge throughout her life and used her knowledge to work for her ultimate goal which was to abolish slavery. At the end of Aminiata's life she is invited by the abolitionists to travel to England to help the cause and testify in parliament. Aminiata brings a creditable testimony to the abolitionist cause because of her life long struggle for freedom for all slaves.  Her intelligent and articulate manner about slavery gives her credibility and leadership when testifying in parliament. This names Aminiata as the 'heroine' of this story.

Hill, Lawrence. The Book of Negroes. Toronto ON: Harper Collins, 2007.Print.




Aminiata Testifying in Parliament


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3 comments:

  1. Unknown12 May 2016 at 20:08

    Hey Sarah,
    Great post you did a really good job of explaining your position in just two paragraphs! Ive noticed that overall you possess this skill of being able to get right to your point while supporting it with good ideas. I personally am one to drag out a statement that could have been one sentence but instead turns into a paragraph, as this comment is quickly demonstrating that point. lol
    I like how you used the archetypal criticism, I used this one myself and I like how you really shaped this around the whole idea of how Aminata is the heroinr of the story. While reading I found myself wishing I could have been there to witness Aminata's testimony, it would have been such a powerful case.
    Overall did you enjoy the book? hat did you enjoy most about it?
    Great job!
    -Kristen

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  2. Anonymous12 May 2016 at 20:46

    Hi Sarah,

    I am also reading, The Book of Negroes, and enjoying it very much! I really liked that you chose archetypal theory to analyze the novel. I definitely agree that there are many symbols which can be discussed. I also agree that Aminata can be classified as the heroin of the book. Have you considered the moon as a symbol as well? I think it is significant because it is mentioned during many of the hardest times that Aminata endured.

    Thanks,
    Sarah Long

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  3. Unknown13 June 2016 at 15:44

    Hey Sarah,
    Great post!
    I also read this novel and found this criticism to be very insightful! It was interesting to hear how to thought Aminata fit the role of the heroin, I didn't always view her in that way. Were there any other character archetypes you thought Aminata fit in? Or just as the Heroin?

    Thanks, Mady

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