Mary Prince Essay - 1627 Words

1. To what extent does the autobiography of Mary Prince tell her own story?. The following essay shall asses to what extent Mary Prince’s story was published in her own words after being recorded down by Susanna Strickland and then edited by Thomas Pringle for publication. With the passing of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act by the British parliament in 1807, the attention of the campaigners against the slave trade switched to the issue of slavery itself. Although the trading in slaves itself had been banned , nothing had been done to free those already enslaved within the British Empire. In 1823 several religious groups, politicians and abolitionist supporters came together to form the Anti- Slavery Society who†¦show more content†¦Prince even goes onto say ‘He did not flog me that day.’ this seems highly unusual as most runaways were harshly punished by their masters as an example to other slaves, of the consequences, of running away. We coul d take into consideration the use of language as Prince states she was not flogged ‘that day’ perhaps meaning the punishment came later but in order to keep the momentum of the story moving along the memory was cut short upon editing. Something that is quiet unusual about Princes narrative is the lack of content of the issues surrounding sexual abuse. This is peculiar as sex abuse 4. of slaves seemed to be a distinctive feature of West Indian life for slaves in the 18th and 19th century. Sandra Paquet argues that ’social and religious prohibitions surrounding sexually explicit material in nineteenth century Britain and legal liabilities attached to the publication of such tracts placed further constraints on Mary Prince’s individual voice.’ Thomas Pringle being part of the Evangelical movement was fully aware that middle aged white Christian housewives would not want to read about sexual abuse as this would have been distasteful and black slav e women already had a reputation for being sexually promiscuous so this would have discredited Prince as a witness. That said, Mary carefully gives details of incidents that haveShow MoreRelated Christian Rhetoric in The History of Mary Prince and Second Class Citizen1789 Words   |  8 PagesChristian Rhetoric in Mary Prince’s The History of Mary Prince, and Buchi Emecheta’s Second Class Citizen It is true, perhaps, that women are the subset of humanity whose rights had been the longest stripped of them, and who had been abused the worst and for the longest time. Even today, many people believe that women still do not have the equality that ought to be afforded them. Since women first started making steps to approach that ideal equality, they have used various means, including literatureRead MoreThe History Of Mary Prince Essay2322 Words   |  10 PagesThe History of Mary Prince was a seminal work of the nineteenth century, which today remains an important historical device. Mary Prince’s story is not unique, but the circumstances and context surrounding her novel are. Defying contemporary standards and beliefs, The History of Mary Prince demonstrates the atrocities of slavery, but also a distinctive and deliberate political message. The History of Mary Prince is not only important for its demonstration of human suffering and the legal historyRead MoreThe Narrative Recited By Mary Prince1303 Words   |  6 PagesThe narrative recited by Mary Prince has a clear purpose. At the time that Prince recites the events of her narrative slavery has been abolished in British Isles, but is still rampant throughout the colonies of the British Empire. Most of Prince’s experiences with slavery come from her time spent in Bermuda, a British colony in the West Indies. The majority of her narrative is spent recounting the horrors of her life in slavery. The vivid imagery Mary Prince uses to describe the brutal treatmentRead MoreFrederick Douglass And Mary Prince959 Words   |  4 Pagesnarratives revealed the struggles that southern slaves faced such as poor living conditions, working conditions, and excessive punishment and abuse. Two former slaves that addressed these concerns in their narratives were Frederick Douglass and Mary Prince. In their narratives, they share the hardships faced as well as the effect they had on their physical and emotion al well-beings. In his narrative, Frederick Douglass dedicates large parts of his narrative to explain the perception that a slave isRead MoreThe slave narrative The History of Mary Prince, harsh treatment and brutal2901 Words   |  12 Pagesnarrative The History of Mary Prince, harsh treatment and brutal beatings from Princes depraved slave mistresses occur almost regularly to Mary Prince and her slave companions. Prince narrates the whole story from her perspective and gives elaborate detail as to what a slave has to endure. Although all of Princes owners are men, Prince focuses on the brutal beatings that the women pressed upon her. Mary Prince depicts the slave-masters wives as evil, twisted women who just beat Mary for no particularRead MoreComparison Of Slavery InThe Classic Slave Narratives By Mary Prince And Frederick Douglass?1180 Words   |  5 Pagesoverseer. In the story of Mary Prince and Frederick Douglas you see all the heart ache that these slaves had to go through. There is simil arity in which all slaves stories are the same but different in their own way. When learning about slavery we already know about all the bad things they went through but its all different when you actually hear it from their point of few. Which is really horrifying to learn the truth of what these slaves had to face. When it comes to Mary Prince and Frederick DouglasRead MoreMary Prince s A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women : Slaves As Human Beings Or Animals?2119 Words   |  9 PagesCatherine Vo 1203565 Dr. Grace Kehler ENGLISH 3M06 05 November 2014 Mary Prince’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women: Slaves as Human Beings or Animals? Throughout Mary Prince s narrative, A Vindication of the Rights of Women, it is clearly evident that the brutal treatment from Prince s mistresses, which she inflicts upon her slaves, is a common occurrence. Through her perspective, she tells the readers about the harsh treatment she receives from both her masters and mistresses. By doing soRead MoreHow Did Erasmus Use Folly to Criticize the Catholic Church1347 Words   |  6 Pagesaffection of Christ was distant from the princes of Christendom, having been substituted by egotism and exploitation. While Erasmus remained faithful to the Catholic Church, Erasmus observed many exploitations among her ministry, theologians, and untrained persons, and he dedicated a huge apportion of the Praise of Folly to disapproval of the sleaze in the Church. The sleaze of the clergy was similar to that of the princes, and like the princes their existences made ridicule of the linenRead MoreA Man for All Season and Machiavellis Doctrine: Reiteration of History1924 Words   |  8 Pagesindividuals who oppose people with dictative power. It must be understood, that a prince Â… cannot observe all of those virtues for which men are reputed good, because it is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state. (Machiavelli). Machiavelli remains one of the controversial figures of political history. One of his works, The Prince (also known as A Handbook for Dictators), contains many references to ancientRead MoreThe Deal Short Story2339 Words   |  10 Pagessaid â€Å"Sure, old friend† Patrick said and let out of his wife hand and went outside the room. â€Å"I’ve made a deal† Patrick nodded for him continue â€Å"If your wife, Queen Wenlina, gives birth to a baby girl, I inquire for an arrange marriage with my son, Prince Arthur, on her sixteenth birthday† Paul said looking straight into Patrick’s eyes, Patrick and Paul always wanted each others Kingdoms together, Patrick hesitated at first but smiled and lifted his hand and said â€Å"Deal† and shake on it. Patrick did