Slave Ownership Effect On People.

"How did being a slaveowner affect a person? Provide examples from the book."

    Throughout the book Douglass provides examples of his masters altering their attitude and actions toward him and other slaves over a period of time. One example from the book is Mrs. Auld. She was the husband of Mr. Auld, and was described as a "pious, warm, and tender-hearted woman." Douglass is very surprised by her kindness when he first meets her, and she teaches Douglass the alphabet, allows him to look her in the eyes, and doesn't support beating. Douglass was progressing in learning words, but that came to an end when Mr. Auld found out about the teaching. Mr. Auld told his wife that teaching a slave was unlawful and dangerous. On page 22, Douglass says "Slavery soon proved it's ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities." Mrs. Auld was influenced by the practices of slavery and other slave owners around and became more cruel. Douglass said slave owners become corrupted with power over time, and turn cruel to keep the obedience of their slaves. 

Slave Family Separation

"Why do you think slave families were separated? How did this benefit the masters and how did it affect the slaves?"    


 In the "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass", Douglass says he was separated from his mother when he was an infant. He also says that children are often taken from their mothers and separated before the child reaches "it's twelfth month". I think this is done to keep the child from having emotional ties to his or her parents. A mother would likely be very protective of their child, and it could cause issues considering the way slave owners treated their slaves. Slave owners also likely didn't need or want an entire family and probably were looking for a specific gender or age. An entire family of slaves could also team together and fight against their master. Separating families probably caused a great deal of emotional harm to the family and it likely left them feeling alone.

"After visiting the Houston Museum of Fine arts, write about how the piece that you chose to take a photo of represents the characteristics of the era that you chose to study for your sub-genre reader."

      

      This painting, titled "View over Quisisana and the Bay of Naples", was painted in 1820 by Johan Christian Dahl. This painting shows a scene of tranquility, with Mount Vesuvius erupting in the background.  In my previous post, I discussed some of the characteristics of Romantic literature. 

There aren't many characteristics of Romanticism exhibited in this painting, but the importance of nature and the lack of urban civilization is present. There is a shepherd observing his animals and he appears to also be admiring the scenery. This relates to the characteristic of respect and reverence towards nature. The erupting volcano is one of the focal points in this painting, and I find it interesting the people are pictured peacefully observing.

Romanticism - The Poison Tree

"Describe three major characteristics of the sub-genre that you chose and apply that knowledge to one of the poems in your sub-genre reader."

~The Poison Tree~

William Blake

I was angry with my friend; 

I told my wrath, my wrath did end. 

I was angry with my foe: 

I told it not, my wrath did grow. 

And I waterd it in fears, 

Night & morning with my tears: 

And I sunned it with smiles, 

And with soft deceitful wiles. 

And it grew both day and night. 

Till it bore an apple bright. 

And my foe beheld it shine, 

And he knew that it was mine. 

And into my garden stole, 

When the night had veild the pole; 

In the morning glad I see; 

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

          The Romantic Era, or Romanticism was an artistic literary movement which lasted from the mid 17th century to the late 18th century. A few major characteristics in Romantic poetry are feelings and emotions, reverence to nature, and individualism. 

          The theme of nature is visible throughout The Poison Tree. Blake compares his wrath to a plant, and he "watered" it with fears and tears. Throughout the rest of the poem Blake continues to cultivate his wrath with his emotions and feelings. Metaphors are present in The Poison Tree, and are important in connecting his emotions to nature. Individual expression is also common in poetry from the Romantic Era. Throughout the poem Blake speaks in the 'I' voice expressing emotions and feelings.