Exploring Voices in Black Autobiography
The black autobiographies we read in class aren't written just for personal stories, but rather with a purpose. The authors who convey these stories often have a person in mind they direct their points towards, focusing their stories on changing their minds, opening their eyes, or asserting spaces in society that tried to silence them. We can see clear connection when comparing Incidents in the Life of a Slave girl by Harriet Jacobs and Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington. Both of these authors manage to create a cohesive story, describing their journeys out of slavery; using different voices and tones shaped by their simple but complex experiences, reaching their audiences.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is written in a deeply personal and emotional way. In many parts of the story she speaks directly to the reader, wanting them to picture what it was like to live through what she had to endure. Jacobs puts the emphasis especially on enslaved women, as she depicts herself as one, while also relating to the sexual abuse and the pain of having your family torn apart. Her voice in the story comes off as very honest and pressing, as she states in the preface that she had "no motive for secrecy on my own account." This is supported by a comment made by her later in the story where she says "But, O, ye happy women, whose purity has been sheltered from childhood... do not judge the poor desolate slave girl too severely!" She openly admits how slavery forced her in a relationship she did not want, and asks the audience that she wants to hear from to not condemn her. White northern women are specifically addressed in her story, she shared the idea of motherhood that would help others understand the hardships of slavery.
On the other hand, Booker T. Washington's voice from Up from Slavery comes off very different. Washington takes a different approach, rather than focusing on the trauma from slavery, he highlights hard work, education, and gradual progress, showing what it can earn. An example was in the story when he describes the extreme hardships he went through, "I was so poor that I had no proper clothing, no shoes, and often slept on the floor." Washington does not ask his readers to imagine his suffering, rather he presents it as a hardship he overcame through effort. In the story, his life is exemplified as what Black Americans could achieve through perseverance and discipline. I found it important to note the time when he was writing, white approval having such high importance at the time often lead to having granted opportunities. Powerful white readers were his main attraction as his form of an audience, which allowed his voice to not come off with any controversy or confrontation at the time. A key difference is that while Harriet Jacobs would make her readers feel uncomfortable at time, Washington reassures them, giving them confidence and acting as an example for Black Americans.
Both authors Jacobs and Washington tell compelling truths in both their story, but they're shown in different ways due to responding to difference moment in African American history. Jacobs story is written while she was enslaved, adding a disclaimer to readers that her story gets uncomfortable. Washington's story is written after slavery, where progress often depended on white approval as opposed to controversy. Jacobs uses her voice to expose the hardships and consequences of slavery that many chose to ignore, while Washington's story argued for a careful path forward, showing that by putting in effort and hard work, one can be successful. In both of their scenarios, telling a story became more than just personal, involving political and strategic actions that shaped their lives.
Hi BJ,
ReplyDeleteI agree that these authors had different goals in writing their narratives. Jacobs appears to be appealing to white readers’ sympathy through her personal experiences, while Booker T. Washington suggests a path forward in which Black people can work within the resources available to them. You hint at this distinction, but I also think that beyond the different historical moments, both narratives were heavily shaped by the white audiences for whom they were written.
-Sasha
Hello Bj, I like the points you make about how both of these authors write their stories with a purpose. Afterall, an author has to know their audience and how to appeal to them. Personally, I also wrote about how Jacobs forces the reader to address the horror of slavery, while also portraying the Northerners who helped her escape as saviors, urging them to fight against slavery. I concur with your interpretation of Washington's writing.
ReplyDeleteHi BJ, nice job laying out the similarities and differences of these two stories. Indeed, they both want to make an impression on White audiences, but their depictions and intentions are quite different. I would argue that Black readers were Washington's main audience though, especially with the ways he suggests for them to cast down their buckets. Nevertheless, he certainly wanted to convey his message to White audiences and you describe his intentions well.
ReplyDeleteHi Bj, Good job sharing the differences between two stories that are both about rising above slavery. I think that it is interesting that both of the writers are writing for white audiences, they do it very differently. I also think its important that BTW didn't have the same struggles as Harriet Jacobs did when escaping slavery and that might be part of the reason that the stories were so different.
ReplyDelete-Lucas
Hi BJ,
ReplyDeleteI like how you highlighted the differencs within stories that overall share the same message and/or meaning. I do agree that both stories aim to create a further path, whether thats for Black readers or just for the people in general. I do overall believe that these stories were made for Black readers. Nice job!
Hi BJ,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how this blog did a good analysis on both of the author's different situations that they faced during the time of writing their autobiographies. I also really liked how you mentioned that for Booker T. Washington, white approval could lead to many opportunities for Washington. I really like how you were able to show the great contrast between the situations that both authors faced while also explaining how that directly affected their writing. Overall, this was a very good read. Great Job!
Hey BJ, I like the comparison between the two author's writing styles and the methodology they chose to give their takeaway to the reader. I agree with the way that BTW expresses confidence and reassurance towards the reader while Jacobs goes for a more sympathetic approach, not for the goal to gain sympathy for the reader, but rather to let them have a glimpse of her uncomfortable life as a slave. Also noting the fact that these stories were written at different times of slavery is also something that the reader can takeaway, seeing that freedom from slavery isn't all sunshine and rainbows.
ReplyDeleteHi BJ! I really enjoyed your showing all the similarities and differences in your analysis. I like how you considered both the black and white audience perspectives and how you showed it started controversy. I think you could dive deeper into how the different tones of the stories add to the message of the story.
ReplyDeleteHey BJ,
ReplyDeleteI like how you compare the two different ways Jacobs and Washington attempt to court a White audience. As you say, Jacobs focuses tries to gain the sympathy of White women and mothers through her portrayal of herself as an innocent young girl victimized by racism. Washington, however, came across as more of a "motivational speaker," in a way. You sum this up perfectly when you say "...while Harriet Jacobs would make her readers feel uncomfortable at time, Washington reassures them, giving them confidence and acting as an example for Black Americans." However, I would argue with your statement that having powerful white readers as an audience allowed Washington to come across as less threatening. The work to achieve his positive image came almost entirely as a result of the tone of his writing and his general ideology, not as the result of simply being read by a lot of White people. Overall, though, nice post!
Hey Bj,
ReplyDeleteI find your post detailed and interesting; with some important ideas we discussed in class along with new ones. The slightly different audiences and objectives you point out connect well to your identifications of differences in the time periods of each autobiography. I think it could've been interesting to point out that, while different, both narratives look to speak almost solely to white audiences.
Hi BJ, I like how you contrasted these two autobiographies, as like you mention they each offer different perspectives on the issue of slavery and the future of African Americans. Your point on Washington's story being different due to the audience he was writing for, but it's important to realize that they each had some different fundamental struggles, as BTW was a man, which gave him some more opportunities, while Jacobs was a woman which added on even more struggles for her. However, they each offer important ideas and it's interesting to see the different ways African Americans approached the idea of achieving freedom. Overall, great post!
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