"Celia, A Slave"

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the book "Celia, A Slave: A True Story of Violence and Retribution in Antebellum Missouri," written by Melton A. McLauren. Specifically, it discusses whether race or gender played more of a role in shaping Celia's relationships with those around her. The paper also describes the historical context in which the story is set.

From the Paper:

"In conclusion, the relationships in Celia's life were varied and based on different factors. For the men in the Newsom household, she was a desirable woman, so her gender was the prominent factor in the relationship. For the sisters, she was a cook and servant, and made their lives easier, so her race was the most important aspect of the brief relationship she had with them. Had gender been an issue with the women, they would have supported her pleas to intervene on her behalf with their father. However, they turned their backs on a fellow woman and left Celia to deal with the matter on her own. If they had reacted more as women and less as slaveholders, the circumstances and outcome might have been vastly different."

Sample of Sources Used:

• McLauren, M. A. (1991). Celia, a slave: A true story of violence and retribution in antebellum Missouri. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press.

More papers on "Celia, A Slave":

• Book Review # 146316 : "Celia: A Slave" - Book Review"
• Book Review # 101195 : "Celia: A Slave"
• Analytical Essay # 131142 : "Female Strength in 'Celia: A Slave'"

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