The role of man in context to this women with references to African- American women. In an ever changing world, the evolution of man has been themost drastic in terms of technological, environmental, and emotional advancement. With great expansions in the variousareas mentioned earlier the human being has ignored the veryentity of there existence, and the power of reasoning, theability to comprehend right from wrong without distortion. TheNarrative of Sojourner Truth illustrates the hardships that wereendured: enslavement, illiteracy, underclassing, brutalassaults, and murders. The African-American women wereclassed as third rate in the human scale that was implemented bythe slaveowners; categorized under the whites, then under theAfrican- American males. The African-American women were kept ingood standing for the convenience of child bearing.
Overburdened with the trials and tribulations of slaverySojourner Truth was able to prosper with spiritual beliefs. Sojourner Truth’s stability was made possible by a strongbelief in the Holy Spirit. God was the major source of guidance, and willpower from the commencement of the slave trade until theemancipation of slavery. Slavery was orchestrated on a massscale and caused the separation of many families in order toensure that slaves would remain with there respective masters.Subservience to the slaveowners was considered to be sacred. Slaves were mentally programmed to believe there masters weregods.
The wives of the slaveowners were seen as goddess’s,withthere prime intent on down playing the daily work done by theAfrican-American women. This was evident with Sojourner’s firstslave mistress, the continuos work routine that was endure bySojourner, was difficult for males to accomplished. the slavesloyal to there masters. Ignorance of the slaves was a pivotalpoint in terms of loyalty. Considering slave knowledge waslimited, in terms of the genetic appearance, beliefs, andlanguage; slaveowners could use this in a condescending mannerto position themselves as gods in the eyes of Sojourner andother slaves.
At this time she looked upon her master as a God; and believedthat he could see her at all times, even as God himself. 1 Female African-American’s were kept from experiencingany form of higher learning, they were confined to common household chores- duties that were befitting of a maid. Themajority were sent to perform field duties. The Narrativeclearly shows that Sojourner (a.k.a.) Isabella was subjected tothis type of work throughout her adult life,mean while her lifebegan to take shape despite the continuos curtailing of heremotional growth.
This is directly related to her mother’searly testimony about the highest spirits and the magnitude ofhis power in relations to suffering and distressing situations. ” My children there is a God, who hears and seesyou”, A God, mau-mau! where does he live? asked the children. “He lives in the sky,” she replied, “and when you are beaten,orcruelly treated, or fall into any trouble, you must ask help ofhim, and he will always hear and help you.” She taught them tokeel and say the Lord’s prayer. 2Underclassing exploited the African American womenfor the most part Sojourner was rated second class by the wifeof her slavemaster, the master was very appreciative of theslave that would work for days upon days without sleep. Unlikeany other slave Sojourner would work whole heartedly without anyform of hesitation. In terms of views of various work loads, anddifferent job types, a local.
Although Sojourner was highlynoted as a slave she was always sited as something that wasirrespectfull of a human. It was a fine triumph for Sojourner and her master, andshe became more ambitious than ever to please him; and hestimulated her ambition by his commendation, and by boasting ofher to his friends, telling them that “that wench” (pointing tolsabel) is better to me than a man- for she will do a goodfamily’s washing in the night, and be ready in the morning to gointo the field, where she will do as much at raking and bindingas my best hands”. 3Sojourner’s work ethics were adopted without the incentiveof monetary gain or ownership of land.
The payment was the continuance of life, chances to have childrenand see them grow as Sojourner did in her case. Theunderclassing of the African-American women in this Narrative represents the disruption in the natural reoccurring process of the family unit staying together as one. African-American women were viewed as no comparison to whitewomen, major problems arose when the women would try torationalize there feelings about the ill treatment of therechildren, also the selling of there children. The inquiries weretaken as an insult by the slavemasters wives. Sojourner’sslaveowners trained her to have her main concerns directed tothere children.
The results of Sojourner’s hard work resulted inharder work being delegated, without any consideration beingtaken that she was a human being. Sojourner was scorned byfellow slaves for her work habits in such barbaric circumstances. These extra exertions to please, and thepraises consequent upon them, brought upon her head envy of herfellow slaves, and they taunted her with being the white folksnigger. As Sojourner grew older, men took interest in herdespite scorning from the other slaves. Robert a slave from another family fell in love with her. Forbidden to seeSojourner he followed his Robert similar to that of a escapedanimal.
Robert was order to seek love from a slave within hisown family, fearful of another life threatening assault by hismaster, Robert obeyed an forgot about his true love. Although the union was not made, Sojourner got married, bearing five children for her husband. Sojourner loss one of her children under false pretences, which was a regular practice in the slavery period. Sojourner is ledto believe her son is at another family which is close to her. Sojourner escapes from her masters home, taking refuge closeby. After being lied too by her master; that she would be freedin the year of 1826. Sojourner leaves in the year of 1827. Sojourner is bought by Mr. Issac’s S.Van Wagener who gives herrefuge, she is bought as an individual, not as a slave and isgranted freedom. While residing with Mr. Wagener, Sojournerseeks legal course to reclaim her son. After continuouslystruggling with the legal system Sojourner is successful in herendeavour.
The treatment of her son is discovered once he isreturned to her, Sojourner learns of multiple beatings to bothher son and the brutal murder of her pregnant daughters unbornchild. Then of the murder of her daughter. Heavens and earth, Isabella! Fowler’s murdered Cousin Eliza ! “Ho,” said Isabella, “that’s nothing- he liked to killmy child; nothing save him but God. 5Sojourner makes direct reference to God, that God cansave anyone if belief is entrusted in God. But, ere she reached the vehicle, she saysthat God revealed himself to her, with all the suddenness of aflash of lighting, showing her, “in the twinkling of an eye, that he was all over”- that he pervaded the universe- “and thatthere was no place where God was not.
“She became instantlyconscious of her great sin in forgetting her almighty friendand “ever-present help in time of trouble.” All her unfilledpromises arose before her. Realization that God was everywhereand everything around her, with the faith entrusted in him was apossibility. Her language is, “let others say what they will of theefficacy of prayer, I believe in it, and I shall pray ThankGod! Yes, I shall always pray,” 6Sojourner started to embrace her spiritual calling, aftersecuring a safe home for her son Sojourner leaves for New York. Sojourner meets Matthias and is taken by his self-proclaimationtype religion.
Sojourner preaches with Matthias for a shortwhile: certain aspect of his theories are contorted to benefithimself, as well as the rest of the male population. Sojournershowed her determination as exemplified earlier in the Narrativeby fighting for what was right. You need not be afraid to give us our rights forfear we’ll take too much… if woman upset the world, do giveher a chance to set it right side up again. 7 Sojourner Truth Was born into slavery in 1797under the name “Isabella Braumfree”, after strong spiritual convictions she change her name to the above mentioned.
With adeep rooted motivation as did Sojourner, accompanied by a strongbelief in God: enslavement would turn into freedom, illiteracywould turn into knowledge, underclassing would be reversed intobeing a national black leader, brutal murders would become thebackbone of your strongest arguments as an abolitionist. In thefight for emancipation. Sojourner’s spirituality was the guidingfactor in her life an caused her to be one of the most outspokenwomen in the history of the United States of America.
