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.
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