Stuberfield, Class Project ENG 227
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The educated women of the Antebellum period were not your average house wives. Mistresses saw the effects slavery had on their homes and the families and slaves. Deteremined to solve their own fustrations women gave their feelings a powerful voice. Although Women have been thought of as the weaker sex, empowered women have been fighting for their beliefs thoughout history. Through much of the antebellum period women saw the injustice of slavery and knew they had to do something about it. Fighting their own opressions women were able to rally supporters of the antislavery movement and publish outstanding works that prove the imorality of slavery.
Autographs of Freedom is a book composed of numerous authors who opposed slavery. This book is a great example of women's call to action. Each personal entry contains a moving story that supports an end to slavery. Members of the Rochester ladies Anti-Slavery Society, Harvard University, University professors, Ministers, and other strong figures of society were determined for their audience to move to action. These abolitionist used sad and horrific stories to explain the value of all life, including blacks. Judith Griffiths was the editor of the book, and a leader of the Anti-Slavery Society she wanted readers to know of that fragile women were not the only witnesses to slavery's sadness. |
Helen Taylor speaks of womens' role in the American South. Women roles were often seen as inferior and were over looked. By studying many of these unpublished writtings Taylor finds a connection to the materials and realize women were affected by the violence of slavery, giving a new perspective to feelings of these wives and mothers. |
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Image of Caroline Fry
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Serious poetry is a collections of poems by Caroline Fry. She tries to give her poetry a serious tone, and does not hesitate in letting the audience know what her topic is about. In one particular poem titled "On the Love of God", Fry speaks of a slave who is cursed for being born into such a terrible life; however, no matter how damnes, the slave loves God who is always his " master". Fry uses sthe Bible to display that men should love one another and treat each other with this unconditional love and faithfulness. She weaves the circumstances of slaves with the blessings God will provide in heaven. I believe that Fry's bold suggestions slaves blind servitude will be rewarded, and that white men should stop their wicked ways and do what God requests of them. |
Serious poetry is a collections of poems by Caroline Fry. She tries to give her poetry a serious tone, and does not hesitate in letting the audience know what her topic is about. In one particular poem titled "On the Love of God", Fry speaks of a slave who is cursed for being born into such a terrible life; however, no matter how damnes, the slave loves God who is always his " master". Fry uses sthe Bible to display that men should love one another and treat each other with this unconditional love and faithfulness. She weaves the circumstances of slaves with the blessings God will provide in heaven. I believe that Fry's bold suggestions slaves blind servitude will be rewarded, and that white men should stop their wicked ways and do what God requests of them. |
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An Image of Uncle Tom |
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin". This story was written to give American insight into the average slave family's life. Stowe cleverly uses common sterotypes of black to show the kindess and viture of the dutiful slave. Using these often negative connotations, I believe Stowe wanted her audience to view slaves as a part of white families instead of property. Stowe envokes a strong feeling by revealing the sadness of families being torn apart, and hopes this will help end slavery and its domestic abuse.
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Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin". This story was written to give American insight into the average slave family's life. Stowe cleverly uses common sterotypes of black to show the kindess and viture of the dutiful slave. Using these often negative connotations, I believe Stowe wanted her audience to view slaves as a part of white families instead of property. Stowe envokes a strong feeling by revealing the sadness of families being torn apart, and hopes this will help end slavery and its domestic abuse.
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In this text Douglas speaks of how is mistress was kind and taught him to read. His mistress proudly teches Fredrick almost as if he is her own son. This event shows how women's feelings were often different towards slaves. As Douglas reflects on this major part of his life, he sees that Mrs. Auld view him as a pupil instead of an ignorant slave. She teaches Douglas as long as she can before her husband puts a stop to the learning. This is an example that women viewed slavery in a different perspective that their husband, and although they may not have always spoke out aganist wrong doing, they did not agree with it either. |
This testimonial of the treatment of slaves is contriversial because white men did not want society to know of the cruelty that was actually taking place by slave owners. Fredrick Douglas gives his personal account of dehumanizing whippings, and the effcets it had on the human spirit. This graphic account supports the movement of women who were against slavery.
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During the period before the Civil War, women spoke out in different ways to try and end the hate caused by slavery. The brulatity and sadness associated with owning blacks was tearing the Nation apart and women worked to stop this. Although their voices were not always heard, these empowered Antebellum women worked vigerously to correct society's wrongs.