Journal # 9

America experienced great changes from 1865 to 1914. This time after the Civil War was even called the "loss of innocence" for America, and even after that brutal war America continued to have problems such as the Mexican War, the Chinese Exclusionary rule, and uniting the North and South. However, this was a time where America greatly expanded not only population wise, but in technology, marketing, and innovations too. America's industrialization boomed during this time period; Abraham Lincoln created the Pacific Railway stretching across the country, and people such as Rockafeller helped the oil industry prosper. And reading increased throughout the country through newspapers, magazines, poetry but most of all short stories. These innovations assisted in creating the country we know America as today.

The the main connection I saw between the present day and this time period was entertainment.  Back then, entertainment applied to novels, magazines, and newspapers printed in the country. It was a huge business that grew rapidly making publishing a big business. Fiction was popular at this time and short stories were people's favorite literary feature. Although today's entertainment is a little different due to television and movies, we still have thousands of books in America that people read. Reading has always been and will always be a prime source of entertainment for people.

Another strong connection I found between today and 1865 to 1914 was the political aspect. In the past, the North and South had extremely different views and did not get along, but after Abraham's death, they started to unite, but this was not the end of conflict for America. The Americans fought in the Mexican War and also had conflict with too many immigrants coming in from China and Europe. I believe America will always have its political conflicts with other countries no matter what because today just like in the past, we are in another war, the war with Iraq.

America has grown so much from its past, reading this introduction I found it interesting that people were still fighting for their rights. African Americans were fighting for the 14th amendment which established equality and their right to vote, and women fighting for the 19th amendment for equality too. But today we have our first African American president, Obama. I think this conveys how much of a progress we have made and I am blessed to call this country my home.

Blog #8: Response to Denzel's Blog

After reading the excerpts assigned I too noticed how much religion was used throughout the texts. Denzel's blog talks about, "John Browns Last Speech," and Garnet's, "From a Memorial Discourse." These two texts in-particular stood out to me because they used God to relate to their audience. When describing the cruelty slaves went through and the hardships they faced, they each bring up God in a similar way. Like Denzel said Brown describes how the new testament taught him many valuable lessons and also says, "God is a respecter of persons." And Garnet states, "in the name of God, the universal Father, we demand the right to live." I completely agree with Denzel when he says those texts were, "equally persuasive by involving the religion that the entire country was familiar with." In my opinion, by using a common religion as a way to argue that slavery is unjust and cruel would really speak to people everywhere because, back then, most people were Christians. It would connect with people in a new light and maybe allow people who had slaves to finally see how wrong it was. I also agree with Denzel when he says these two excerpts criticized the, "American Dream." They portray a slaves life was no where near the true "American Dream," that many Americans lived, but in fact, laborers treated inhumanely. In conclusion, Brown's and Garnet's Christian faith conveyed in their speeches were excellent ways to influence slave holders to think of slavery differently, and I also thoroughly enjoyed reading and responding to Denzel's post.

Abolitionist Poetry

Both John Greenleaf Whitter's poems and Frances E. W. Harper were devoted abolitionists of their time. Harper was one of the first African American writers, who was influenced by Garrison's Liberator and also participated in the underground railroad. Whitter was a quaker who was interested in slavery and devoted himself to the "antislavery crusade."

I found reading these poems, both authors used vivid imagery to create certain feelings pertaining to their purpose of their poems. In Harper's Slave Mother she describes "she is a mother, pale with fear, Her boy clings to her side," to help the reader to imagine the experience of being separated from your child, which was common being a slave. Saying her face was pale and "hands so sadly clasped" really portrays to the reader that it was an extremely difficult time for the mother, and even sickening. In Whitter's The Hunters of Men, he states "Her foot's in the stirrup, her hand in the rein." This imagery conveys that even when the wives of their masters were kind, they were so tied up with their husbands that they too became corrupted. He also uses many descriptions in his second poem. At one point he describes the slaves dwellings as "rice-swamp dank and lone" and connects it with "noisome insect stings," "fever demon strews," and "poison with the falling dews. These characterizations are all associated with a negative image. This causes the reader to view their homes as awful, lonely and painful places.

Using imagery in poems is a effective and great way to truly give what you want your audience to take away from reading your poem. In my opinion not only does imagery allow for the reader to actually picture an image in their mind, it allows the reader to understand and relate to the poem on an even higher level.

Bonus Blog

Harriet Jacobs, "A Life of a Slave Girl," is an account in which describes her entire life throughout the time she was enslaved up until she was freed. This story is completely truthful, as she assures the reader knows. In the introduction she states "this narrative is no fiction" and her "adventures...[are] strictly true." She also states that she has not written this story in light of getting sympathy for her sufferings, but rather to raise awareness to others. As we discussed in class, she probably did have some intention of getting a little sympathy from her readers. In her story she describes her detailed emotions and how wretched she felt, which entices the audience to feel sympathetic for her. Jacobs also wrote directly to her readers. In one instance she said, "Reader, did you ever hate? I hope not. I never did but once" and again later she states, "And now reader, I come to a period in my unhappy life which I would gladly forget if I could." Directly speaking to her reader, in my opinion allows for the reader to pause and reflect an even greater amount than what they usually would. This makes her writing much more personal, on a whole new level, almost as if you knew her personally.  She uses this technique right before she describes her actions when she slept and got pregnant from a white man which disgraced her family. She is also ashamed of what she has done and tries to convey her feelings by connecting to the reader (which was targeted white high class women) and by telling them that having a lover who has no control over you brings "akin to freedom."

Overall her language is personal and portrays her struggle she experienced throughout her life. She attempts to obtain some sympathy and understanding from her readers by telling them her reasoning behind her actions and her feelings towards how she felt about them, knowing her audience may judge her she used this personal language to earn attraction and awareness.

Race and Culture

Both the, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," and "The Quadroons" were extremely sad stories. From history classes I have always known slaves were treated poorly and unequally, but after reading these personal stories I feel like I have learned so much more and now realize what their lives were like on a whole new level. I am choosing to write about race and culture because, being African American, both Rosalie and Jacobs experienced an usually difficult life. 


In "The Quadroons," Rosalie did not have as bad as life as most slaves in that day because of her wealthy owner, for she lived in a beautiful cottage in Sand-Hills and fell in love and wished to marry a man named Edward. However how great can a life be when you are "owned" by someone. Her marriage would not even be recognized in the state because of her race. It is so sad that just because of her ethnic background that society would place such restrictions on her. In the future they had a daughter together named Xarifa, but when Edward left Rosalie, she grew into depression. For she longed to move Xarifa to England because Rosalie knew her fate here in America would not be a good one, and knowing what her fate would be (a slave), Rosalie's "soul was filled with anguish." Once Rosalie passed, Xarifa was then bet on as a slave. One man says "I bet two thousand dollars." It amazes me that society as a whole back then thought of humans as property solely because of the color of their skin. 


In Jacobs account, she had a terrible life. Not only did her master not allow her to marry the man she loved, he abused and cursed her, even threatened her life. Just because of her race, her owner believed it was just to treat her the way he did. Eventually Jacob ran away from her owner and hid in a small hiding place, in which she had gotten frost bite and wombs from bugs that lived with her. Although she went through these tragedies she would of rather been anywhere else besides with her cruel owner as she explains, "Yet i would have chosen this, rather than my lot as a slave." In the end she and her children were freed alas even though she still had the painful memories from her past. 


Due to Americas culture of believing that whites were so superior to blacks and they had the right to actually own people and do whatever they wanted with them, Jacobs, Rosalie, and Xarfia all had painful experiences in their lives.  For race was the reason in which they were treated so unequally. It is sad to me that just being a different race would cause such horrible things to happen to you. But I am glad to know that our culture has changed drastically over the years and now everyone, no matter what race, is treated equally and given the life they wish to live. 

Native Americans

Throughout both passages, "An Indian's Looking Glass for the White Man," and "Indian Names," there is a common theme describing how the Native Americans of that time were treated poorly, given unfair rights, and discriminated against. Apess's story reflects much about his own heritage and how he was actually part Native American himself. Growing up with a white father and Indian mother (although his parents split), he has had a great interest in the "history and rights of Native Americans." His story explains how he believes Indians should have the right to be treated equally. He was a minister so he mirrors a lot of what the Bible says. He believes that no man should be affected by the color of one's skin color, because God would never be disgraceful towards someone who had black or red skin. He also talks about the white men's cruelty towards the Indians and how they "robbed...murdering their women and children," and deprived them of their lawful rights in which they deserved. 


In Sigourney's poem, "Indian Names" we also see a theme supporting Native Americans. She too was raised in a devoutly Christian home which I think is maybe connected to why both authors have reflected the same feelings towards Native Americans. She talks about how Natives were "brave" and a "noble race" in which whites have killed off. Her poem conveys that Natives were spread out all throughout the country from Kentucky to Missouri and were the first people in this country. She also talks about how their memory will always be remembered and names on our waters, that won't washout, even though "ye destroy their dust." 


Sadly, these two passages reflect the way in which Natives were treated poorly and killed off. But it is encouraging to see people who think so highly of the Indians, having Cherokee Indian in my myself.  

Theme in the "Tenth of January" By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

After reading this story I considered many options of different themes that would be suitable, I came to conclusion that, even if things in life are bad, don't take it for-granted, would be the best fit. The theme was developed slowly throughout the story and became apparent at the end. In the beginning, Asenath was  sorrow and looked down upon herself.  She constantly allowed not only herself, but others to put her down because of her past and her looks. For instance two people talking about her whispered, "Look at that girl! I'd kill myself if I looked like that." Yet she actually thought the same way because at one point in the story she had, "wicked thoughts," in which she envisioned jumping off the bridge. Her life was extremely tough and was put in unfortunate situations, but I believe there was always something in which she could be happy about. Her father cared about her and she always had God to go to when she felt alone. There were even little things in her life that could make her happy. In the end of the story when Asenath was close to dying, she had finally come to realization that "Life- even her life- was sweet, now that it was slipping from her." Even if life is hard, I agree with this theme, I believe that life should never be taken for-granted for it is too big of a gift.