Fred D’Aguiar’s novel delves into various underlying themes and ideas, with two main themes prevailing: Racial Superiority and the conflicting notions of Slavery and Christian Values. It takes place in the early eighteenth century, a period characterized by brutality and apparent amorality. The white population of that time justified the enslavement of Africans, whom they captured or lured onto slave ships and transported to America. By 1861, fifteen slave states had agreed to and sanctioned slavery. Arguments for and against this practice abound, but they mostly revolve around the notion that the African race was inferior or more primitive than the white population in America. Consequently, it was deemed morally justifiable and consistent with Christian values to enslave, whip, and mistreat them.
Many individuals believed that despite mistreating slaves, they would not experience any guilt or remorse. They justified their actions by regarding the enslaved race as mere property and treated them accordingly. Surprisingly, animals during that time were sometimes treated and fed better than the slaves themselves. Those who owned or participated in slavery did not exhibit any moral remorse, as they failed to perceive their actions as wrong. They were incapable of recognizing the conflict between their involvement in slavery and their moral principles rooted in Christianity. Most of the population at that time considered it acceptable to treat African slaves as mere property due to their belief in the inferiority of this racial group. The white population largely ignored how their support for slavery contradicted their moral values as Christians. They failed to acknowledge the immorality of their actions. While some were ignorant to their wrongdoing, others recognized the ethical issues but chose to turn a blind eye.
A quote from the chapter ‘The Virginian’ illustrates how people chose to ignore the circumstances. The quote states that treating a slave with Christian fairness and teaching them about Christianity does not soften the relationship between master and slave. This was necessary for Christianity to spread and maintain the belief in racial superiority. The African race was viewed as primitive and inferior, justifying the white populations’ adherence to slavery as a natural part of society.
In his novel, D’Aguiar employs various techniques to elucidate his story and themes, serving as an excuse and rationalization for the characters’ actions, and an explanation of their morals and Christian values. One technique utilized is the presentation of different characters’ perspectives, thoughts, feelings, and expressions to express diverse themes. Additionally, editorials and diary entries are used to further elucidate these themes and provide deeper introspection. The period known as the ‘slave’ era was a dark time in our history characterized by numerous brutal and immoral actions. The Longest Memory employs several techniques, characters, and themes to illustrate the differing thoughts and viewpoints of individuals, as well as the treatment of different races during that time period and how they felt about it, along with their attempts to escape from oppression. Notable quotes include: – “We are different from the slaves in intelligence and human standing before God.” – “They need to be treated as subjects of God, though blessed with lesser faculties, and therefore suited to the trade of slavery.” – “Our line of work is slaves; we can’t change the fact. We do it the way we think best serves our investment.”
