ISP Post #3: Identifying Issues in the Book of Negroes

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill is littered with social issues. Discrimination, abuse, and slavery are the main problems in this novel. As I continue to read through into the fourth section it becomes evident that slavery will not end by the conclusion of the Book of Negroes. Aminata has experienced abuse, discrimination and slavery since her kidnapping from Bayo.

As soon as Aminata was taken from her home she was inhumanely treated. She, and the other prisoners, were stripped of their clothes and shoes, their possessions stolen, and they were beaten if they did not follow instruction (29) (129). Black people were not treated as persons but as property with no societal rights. Her abuse continued to follow her on to the slave ship as well. The toubab man who took a liking to Aminata tried to rename her “Mary” and take advantage of her sexually (74). He also treated her like a pet, making her stay in his cabin and help him do chores (75). White children would never be on the slave ship in the first place, but they surely wouldn’t be treated like animals if they were. The black passengers were partnered with chains and left to live in their own filth like rodents (66). Even as a free adult, when Appleby tried to claim her before her trip to Canada, the guards put her in a cell with her legs and wrists shackled like a wild animal (306). Abuse towards slaves would continue for their entire lives unless they found a way to escape. With that said, even with freedom discrimination towards blacks continued.

White people felt more important than the black population. It is evident in every aspect of the book. Certain stores didn’t even let black people enter their business or near their homes. When the economy fell during the fighting with the British, black people were the first to lose work and starve. This was seen when Aminata was left under the supervision of Lindo’s sister. Since Aminata was a self-hire, Leah refused to feed her or let her into the house (217). Aminata was left to wander the streets for food and for somewhere to go during the day. White people did all they could in their power to exclude Aminata and the rest of the Black population from society.

Slavery is the most evident social issue in the Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. The majority of the plot line is based on Aminata’s life as a slave. Slavery is wrong and inhumane. People know this now, but during the time period which the book is set in, people believed it was black people’s purpose. Freedom was stolen from African people and they were treated as objects. Even free born African-Americans lived in fear of being hunted, sold, and claimed by the slave trade (269). When black people became slaves they lost all control of their lives. They were used as butlers and servants, for labour work, and bred to create more slaves. Aminata had her baby stolen and sold by Appleby with no way of stopping the situation (184). She didn’t even have control of her baby’s fate. Their lives were completely controlled by their owner’s desires. Aminata and her husband Chekura weren’t even able to spend more than a couple nights together because they had different owners. Even if Aminata would have left Lindo to go with Chekura, Chekura would have to ask his owner to spend the night with his wife (220). Slaves were either treated like small children or like animals, that’s what makes slavery such a large issue in this book.

As the book goes on, Aminata herself seems to be suffering less and less mistreatment from the slave trade, discrimination and abusive white people. With that said, the presence of these issues are still evident in the text and effect many of the major and minor characters. The impact of her past still haunts Aminata as she continues her journey as well. 

ISP Post #2 : Feminist Criticism

When reading the Book of Negroes, it becomes obvious that the book is written to have a strong female role. Meena, the voice and main character of the story, is a young girl but is very mature and wise for someone her age. I chose to analyze the text with the feminist literary criticism because of Aminata’s strong female presence and because gender roles and suppression of women is evident in the text. When one reads the story, they can easily see Meena as a role model which supports feminism or equality for the sexes.

The story is about slavery, so mistreatment of both genders of African American people occur, but it is evident that women are not worth as much as men even in the trade. Although some would say that this goes against feminism, when Aminata witnesses the mistreatment she makes her disgust with the situation known, so she makes it obvious that she supports women’s rights. If one analyzes the text through the feminist eye they would see that emphasis is placed on the mistreatment of women to show it is wrong. For example, during the first section of reading, the toubab man tried to take advantage of Aminata in his cabin (74). At his touch she clamped her legs together, turned away and hissed at him, protesting his desires (74). This is an obvious example of what men feel a woman’s role is, and an example of a woman showing her power. She could of fallen victim to his treatment and her fear, but instead she stood up for what she knew was right.

Aminata respected that men and women had different roles in society in that day and age, but she still saw the two genders as equally important regardless of their differences. Lawrence Hill also writes prominent female characters to have strong opinions and personalities. For example, everyone who knew Fanta respected her as a person and saw her as a leader. Georgia, Aminata’s caregiver at Applebee’s plantation, also holds a lot of respect from other characters. This is seen when Aminata first arrives at the indigo plantation. When Aminata was being inspected at her first arrival, her refusal to follow orders almost got her hit, but Georgia stopped the men and took her away (125). This is another example of women are perceived and how women exercise their power. When Aminata stood up to the men she was going to have to face consequences, but because Georgia had more respect in the area when she stood up the men they backed off. As the reader, this showed me how Aminata saw some women as strong and capable, and how she believed she would later have that potential. When girls have strong female role models they tend to have higher standards for themselves.

Analyzing the book with a feminist point of view is easier to do than other criticisms not only because Aminata is the main character who holds feminist beliefs, but also because Aminata is left to survive on her own. After her parents were killed Aminata had no one to rely on. Yes, she has received help from people along her journey like Chekura, Georgia, and Mamed, but she had to become the breadwinner for herself and later her baby (155) (182).

Aminata’s desire to learn and defy suppression of women and Africans is another reason I used the feminist criticism. There is no denying that Meena knows exactly what she wants for herself and will do anything to reach her goals. For example, she studied for years with her father and worked hard with Mamed and later Lindo to further her knowledge of the world and many languages and beliefs (190). She also strives to make it home one day, and I believe if she keeps her motivation she will make it there. 

The Book of Negroes: First Blog Post

So far I have read book one of The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. The novel is told by Aminata Diallo who is an elderly woman in England who survived decades in the slave trade. The story is fictional, but is based on true facts and events that took place in American and African History. Her retelling starts at the age of about 11 in Bayo, Africa with her midwife mother and Jeweller father. They were loving parents that taught Aminata, or “Meena”, many skills and languages in the short time they had.

           As they walked on the trails, Meena and her mother were captured by slavers, and her father came to help shortly after the attack. Both her parents were murdered during their fight to get free once again. Aminata was then placed in chains with two others from her village, Fomba and Fanta. The coffle was being guided to the shore to be held in a boat heading to the United States. Meena made friends with a boy who was aiding the captors, named Chekura, who helped her survive the journey. With the help of the lessons she had been taught by her mother and father along with Chekura, she made it to the vessel which concluded the first section of the book.

                The novel is filled with very unique characters which have very distinct characteristics that either compliment or clash with one another. Within the story, Meena tends to get along with most people, but she has a hard time connecting with Fanta. Fanta seems to be a very angry person, who struggled with her average life and is having an even harder time as a captive. For these reasons I am curious to how her character develops. I believe she is selfish and cocky, but with that said, I feel she is misunderstood and her anger towards Aminata is fuelled by something. Fanta is a very clever woman who knows what needs to be done to survive. Her anger makes me believe that she will cause a large protest later on in the story.

                As I read the story I am finding it very easy to relate with Aminata and other characters. Lawrence Hill writes with such description that I can place myself right in the scene with the characters.  My imagination and Lawrence’s writing style is giving me what I believe is my greatest strength as a reader: the ability to empathise with characters. As I read the book my point of view changes from being Aminata herself, to being a bystander in the chains with them. The connection I build lets me almost completely understand what is happening in the novel and predict future events and actions of characters.  The imagery formed in my head also keeps me “hooked” and reading far past my goal.

                When Lawrence Hill wrote The Book of Negroes I believe he wrote it with the intention of teenage girls and women reading it. I feel this way because there is an obvious strong female role and he goes deep into Meena’s feelings and struggles of being a young girl. For example, the helplessness and embarrassment she felt when she experienced her first period is something every girl can relate to on some level. That is not to say that men and boys cannot sympathise with young girls, it is just that the experience is very unique and something they will never truly understand.  Lawrence also focuses on her being strong through all of her struggles and depicts her as a role model for all women.  He also portrays Meena as a very insightful, caring and intelligent girl; qualities we all wish to have for ourselves and our children.