Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Slavery in Mark Twain's Puddn'head Wilson
Puddn'head Wilson is noted as a satire on slavery. What does this novel say about systematic forced labor? (specifically,about the factors in America that defined who would be a slave)Roxy's swapping of her child for her master's child is central to the plot of the novel. What does the results of this action mean for the characters in the novel? How does this choice effect the larger society?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChapter 3
ReplyDeleteRoxy would rather kill her self and her baby then be a slave. Percy Discroll is mad at Roxy and she believes he will send Chambers down the river. She decides to commit suicide and kill Chambers because she believes he is better off in heaven.
P6-23
Chapter 4
ReplyDelete"Chambers" was like a slave to "Tom". "Tom" abuses "Chambers" but "Chambers" beaten by Percy Discroll if he fights back. "Chambers" becomes "Tom's" bodyguard and fights the bullies at school who pick on "Tom".
P6-23
Chapter 18
ReplyDeleteWhen Roxy is telling "Tom" about her time on the plantaion and how mistreated she was (P. 102-103)Chapter 18
When Roxy is telling "Tom" about her time on the plantaion and how mistreated she was (P. 102-103).
It shows how bad slavery was back then, because it gives the impression that some masters simply did whatever they wanted to their slaves, if a slave displeased them in some way. Reading about the way they were treated is a bit of reality from the time that cannot be ignored. The merciless fashion in which some masters seemed to punish their slaves, is eye opening about slavery at the time.
P1-20
Chapter 3
ReplyDeleteP7-13
Roxy remembers that Chambers, her son is getting sold down the river. He is getting sold down the river because he is considered black although he is mostly white. Because he is about to get sold down the river Roxy thinks that if she kills her son and herself that they will far better off in heaven than being a slave.
Chapter 4
ReplyDelete"He was Tom's patient target when Tom wanted to do some snowballing, but the target couldn't fire back."
"Chambers" was the Driscoll's slave and had to obey "Tom" at all times. "Chambers" could not retaliate or fight back, and had to take the abuse for he was a slave, and considered under white people.
P7-2