"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Literature 7-8
Today we begin The Slave Dancer. Read the entire introduction below.
Introduction
The Slave Dancer by American writer Paula Fox is a work of historical fiction. That means that the characters are fictional, but the places are real and the events are based on things that really happened. The novel gives us a glimpse into a shameful period of American history, when human beings made in the image of God were kidnapped, abused, bought and sold like cattle, and brutally enslaved. To make matters worse, the slave trade was race-based: White slave traders (some of whom claimed to be Christians) enslaved black Africans, whom they thought of as being inferior to whites and therefore well suited to serve their white "superiors."
Paula Fox wants us to understand better just how brutal the slave trade was. And although this is a book written for young people, she does not cover up the horrors of this illegal trade. You will read about many acts of violence, some of them described in disturbing detail. You will read about verbal abuse as well as physical abuse--including the occasional use of the n-word. This is not language you should use, just as you would not use physical violence against another person. These actions and the language are here to convey the brutality of the slave trade and the people who ran it.
You may be asking yourself why I would have you read a book like this. There are several reasons. The first is that it is well written. Paul Fox is a good story-teller, and she has a gift for opening the eyes and the ears of our imaginations. She knows how to bring fictional characters and situations to life. A second reason for reading this book is that it reminds us of part of our American heritage we might rather forget. But we shouldn't forget it, no matter how unpleasant the reminder, because we can learn from it. A third reason is a specifically Christian one. This novel can remind us of something else we might rather forget--the ugliness of human sin. If it weren't for the grace of God, all of us would be worse than the worst criminal in this book. But Jesus came to earth to die for sinners, to rescue us from our own sin and make us new people. We can better appreciate our Savior if we better understand how much we need to be saved. This book does not glorify violence, though there is plenty of violence in it. This book does not try to justify abusive language, though there is much abusive language in it. This book does not romanticize any part of the slave trade, but tries to show it realistically, with compassion for all of the victims.
On page 2 there is a list of the characters aboard the Moonlight, the slave ship that is the main setting for the novel. You may find it useful to refer to it.
The first chapter, "The Errand," is exposition. You are introduced to several characters, including the viewpoint character, Jessie Bollier. He is telling the story as an older man recounting a traumatic experience from his youth. He gives us a snapshot of his family, their home, and part of New Orleans where they live. The year is 1840, twenty years before the Civil War and the eventual emancipation of the enslaved people in the United States.
A. Answer the following questions on the basis of the paragraphs above that you have just read.
Use complete sentences.
1. What is historical fiction?
2. What does it mean that American slavery was "race-based"?
3. The second paragraph is a warning. What is it?
4. What are the 3 reasons I gave for having you read this book?
5. I used the word "exposition" in the final paragraph. What does that mean in context?
B. Read "The Errand" and respond in complete sentences.
1. What is Jessie's house like?
2. Where is his father?
3. How does his mother make a living?
4. What is Jessie's neighborhood like?
5. Tell about something shocking or disturbing that happens.
6. Ask a question about the chapter, or write out a memorable quotation (from now on, we will call these memorable quotations "sparkles").
Due no later than 3:00pm Tuesday, May 19. Do not send anything today.
American Literature
Respond in complete sentences. Due no later than 3:00pm Tuesday, May 19.
1. Read "About the Author" p. 545. What is most worth knowing about William Carlos Williams?
2. Read "About the Selections": a) What is Imagism? b) What does Williams say about rhythm in poetry?
3. It is easy to mock "This Is Just to Say" (p. 546) and "The Red Wheelbarrow" (p. 548). If you feel that impulse, suppress it for the time being and take the poems seriously. It is important to read the poems aloud, so please do so even if it makes you a little self-conscious. a) Say something about how the poems sounded to you. b) Say something about the form of each. c) To whom is each poem addressed? d) Say something about the tone of each poem. e) What are both poems suggesting about the world around us? f) What similar concern do you see in the poems of Wallace Stevens? Briefly explain. g) Why do you think some people mock poems like these? h) Regardless of your actual opinion, how might someone defend these poems against such mockery?
British Literature
Ch. 9 for tomorrow by 3:00pm, usual procedure.
C.S. Lewis
Next assignment is on last Thursday's blog post.
Luke and Acts
Write and answer 10 why/how questions on Acts 21:17-36. Due no later than 3:00pm Tuesday, May 19. Do not send anything today.
Poets and Prophets
Read and respond to Is. 54. Due no later than 3:00pm Tuesday, May 19.
1. Assume that the main units are as follows: 1-3, 4-8, 9-10, 11-14, 15-17. Give a one-sentence statement about the main idea in each unit.
2. The people of Judah are described collectively as a barren woman. List 5 supposedly barren women (OT or NT) who ended up having children, often remarkable ones. Briefly explain in one sentence each.
3. The chapter also speaks of the people of Judah as widowed and deserted. List 5 women (OT or NT) who were widowed, abandoned, divorced, or single who ended up being an important part of God's work in the world. Briefly explain in one sentence each.
4. Another important image is precious stones. List 5 places in the Bible (OT or NT) where precious stones are used, literally or figuratively. Briefly explain in one sentence each.
French classes: see earlier posts for your assignments for tomorrow.
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