In the excerpt from the autobiography of John Brown, several details highlight the harsh realities of slavery in the early to mid-1800s. First, the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones is emphasized, as the author reflects on his mother's grief at leaving behind her children and family, suggesting the deep personal anguish inflicted by the institution of slavery. Second, the physical cruelty of slave masters is depicted through the description of their new master, characterized by his cruel expression and the brutal treatment he administered, such as flogging his slaves. Finally, the excerpt reveals the grueling work schedule that slaves were forced to endure; they labored from dawn until late at night with minimal sustenance, highlighting the extreme exploitation and dehumanization faced by enslaved individuals during this period. Through these details, the author vividly illustrates the emotional and physical suffering inherent in the slavery experience.
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
Item 8
I really thought my mother would have died of grief at being obliged to leave her two children, her mother, and her relations behind. But it was of no use lamenting, the few things we had were put together that night, and we completed our preparations for being parted for life by kissing one another over and over again, and saying good bye till some of us little ones fell asleep. ... And here I may as well tell what kind of man our new master was. He was of small stature, and thin, but very strong. He had sandy hair, a very red face, and chewed tobacco. His countenance had a very cruel expression, and his disposition was a match for it.
He was, indeed, a very bad man, and used to flog us dreadfully. He would make his slaves work on one meal a day, until quite night, and after supper, set them to burn brush or spin cotton. We worked from four in the morning till twelve before we broke our fast, and from that time till eleven or twelve at night... we labored eighteen hours a day.
This excerpt is from the autobiography of an escaped slave named John Brown. In a paragraph, describe at least three details the author discusses about slavery in the early to mid-1800s.
1 answer
1 answer