ISP Blog Post #2- Feminist Criticism

Feminist Criticism- 

            I have chosen to analyze my book with feminist literary criticism because it is very clear Lawrence Hill wrote this book based around a strong female character that is meant to be the voice of a powerful role model who supports feminism and equality.  It is obvious that the main character, Meena, is very wise and mature for her age.  It is evident throughout the text that Lawrence delves deep into detail about the suppression of women during this time period in history.

            This story is about slavery, so the abuse of both genders of African American people occurs throughout, but it is apparent that women are not as much value as the men are, even in the trade. Although this may go against feminism, when Aminata witnesses the mistreatment of another slave, she does not hide her disgust with the situation, therefore supporting women’s rights.  If one were to read this book from a true feminist view, it would become evident that Lawrence emphasizes the maltreatment of women and how wrong it truly is.  For example, in the first section when a toubab man tried to take advantage of Meena in his cabin (74), she clamped her legs together at his touch, turned away, and hissed at him objecting to his desires (74).  This is a clear example of what men portray women to be exclusively for and also an example of Meena standing against it, showing her power.  She could have caved into her fear and become a victim to his treatment but instead she stood up for what she knew was right. A true act of a feminist; standing her ground. 

            Aminata is unique in the way that she understood that in her day and age there was a difference in the genders but she still saw everyone to be equally important regardless of their differences.  When looking deeper into the text, past the main character, when analyzing the other female characters that appear in the book, it is evident that Lawrence portrays them to have strong opinions and personalities.  For example, Fanta demanded respect from everyone she met and those who knew her saw her as a respectable strong leader.  As well as Georgia, Aminata’s caregiver at Applebee’s plantation, holds a great deal of respect from the other characters.  We see this when Meena first arrives at the indigo plantation.  As Meena was being inspected upon her arrival, her refusal to follow orders almost got her hit, but Georgia stopped the men and escorted Aminata away (125).  This is another example of women showing their power and how they are perceived.  Meena was not following orders and was going to have to suffer the consequences of her actions but Georgia stepped in and because of the high level of respect she had in the area, the men backed off when she interfered.  This showed me how Aminata viewed some women were capable of being strong and a respected leader, and how she believed she could achieve the same too.  When girls have strong female role models they tend to set higher expectations and standards for themselves. 

            I discovered that analyzing this book from a feminist stand point was not a difficult task as the main character, Aminata , holds strong feminist beliefs.  AMinata is also all on her own, her parents are dead so she has no one to rely on.  She has received some help from others along the way, like Chekura, Georgia, and Mamed, but she had to become her own source of support for herself and later her baby. (155)(182).  

            Aminata’s dedication and passion to abolish suppression of women and Africans is yet another reason I chose feminist criticism.  Aminata is clearly the type of girl who knows what she wants and will do anything to achieve it.  For example, she dedicated herself to learning and studying with her Father, she worked hard with Mamed as well with Mindo to further her knowledge of the world, different languages and various beliefs. (190).  She dreams and aspires to return home one day and I think with her devotion, she will get there.   

            

ISP Blog post #1

The book I have been reading is The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill. The novel is told by Aminata Diallo who is an elderly woman who has survived decades in the slave trade.  This book is fictional but is based on true facts and events that occurred in America and African History.  Her story begins at the age of 11 in Bayo, Africa with her midwife mother and jeweler father.  They were loving and caring parents that taught Aminata, (also known as “Meena”), many skills and languages in the short time they had together.

            As Meena and her mother were walking home from visiting another village, they were captured by slavers. Her father came to help shortly after the attack. Both Meena’s parents were murdered during their fight to get free once again. Aminata was then placed in chains with two others from her village, Fomba and Fanta.  The coffle was being guided to shore to be held in a boat heading to the United States.  Meena made friends with a boy who was aiding the captors, named Chekura who helped her survive her journey.  With the help of the lessons she had been taught by her mother and father, along with Chekura, she made it to the vessel, which concludes the first section of my readings. 

            What I enjoy most is that the story is filled with unique characters who possess very distinct characteristics that either compliment or clash with one another.  The main character Menna, tends to get along with most people but finds difficulty in connecting with Fanta.  Fanta appears to be a very angry person, who struggled with her average life and is now having an even harder time as a captive.  For these reasons, I am curious to see how her character develops throughout the novel and how she deals with the rest of her journey in captivity.  I believe she is selfish and cocky, that being said, I feel she is just misunderstood and is projecting her anger onto Meena for a specific (or many) reasons I am yet to learn.  Fanta is very clever and knows what needs to be done to survive.  Her anger leads e to believe that she will fuel or even be the soul cause of a large protest later on in the story. 

             As I read the story I find it very easy to relate to all of the characters in the way Lawrence Hill portrays their unique attributes in each setting.  The intense and precise description allows me to place myself right in the scene with the characters.  Lawrence’s writing style and my imagination combined, lets me access my greatest strength as a writer: the ability to empathize with the characters.  Flowing with the story I am able to change my point of view from being Aminata herself, to being a bystander in chains along side them.  The connection I build lets me almost completely understand what is occurring in the novel and predict future events and actions of characters.  The imagery I form in my head also keeps me “hooked” and reading far past my goal.

            While writing the novel The Book of Negroes, I believe Lawrence Hill had the intention of reaching out and connecting with women and teenage girls. I believe this because there is an obvious strong female role, but he also goes deeper into details of Meena’s struggles and feelings of being a young girl.  For example, the feebleness and embarrassment she sensed when she experienced her first period is something every female can connect and relate to on some level.  Although, that is not to disregard men and say they cannot sympathize with young girls, it is just an experience that is extremely unique and something they will never truly understand.  Lawrence also focuses on Meena being strong throughout all of her struggles and depicts her as a role model for all women.  He portrays her as a very caring, insightful and intelligent girl; qualities we all wish to have for our children and ourselves.