ISBN:
9780190908386
Language:
English
Pages:
xiv, 389 Seiten
,
Illustrationen
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als Andrews, William L., 1946- author Slavery and class in the American South
DDC:
306.362097509034
Keywords:
Geschichte 1840-1865
;
Slaves' writings, American History and criticism
;
Slaves Biography History and criticism
;
African Americans Biography
;
History and criticism
;
Slaves Social conditions 19th century
;
Slavery History 19th century
;
Soziale Situation
;
Sklave
;
Erzählung
;
Schwarze
;
USA Südstaaten
;
USA Südstaaten
;
Schwarze
;
Sklave
;
Soziale Situation
;
Erzählung
;
Geschichte 1840-1865
Abstract:
"In William L. Andrews's magisterial study of an entire generation of slave narrators, more than 60 mid-nineteenth-century narratives reveal how work, family, skills, and connections made for social and economic differences among the enslaved of the South. Slave narrators disclosed class-based reasons for violence that broke out between 'impudent,' 'gentleman,' and 'lady' slaves and their resentful "mean masters." Andrews's far-reaching book shows that status and class played key roles in the self- and social awareness and in the processes of liberation portrayed in the narratives of the most celebrated fugitives from U.S. slavery, such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, William Wells Brown, and William and Ellen Craft. Slavery and Class in the American South explains why social and economic distinctions developed and how they functioned among the enslaved. Noting that the majority of the slave narrators came from the higher echelons of the enslaved, Andrews also pays close attention to the narratives that have received the least notice from scholars, those from the most exploited class, the 'field hands.' By examining the lives of the most and least acclaimed heroes and heroines of the slave narrative, Andrews shows how the dividing edge of social class cut two ways, sometimes separating upper and lower strata of slaves to their enslavers' advantage, but at other times fueling pride, aspiration, and a sense of just deserts among some of the enslaved that could be satisfied by nothing less than complete freedom"...
Note:
Includes bibliographical references and index
