The Slave Song

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the article "Truth in Timbre: Morrison's extension of slave narrative in the song in "Beloved"", where Peter J. Capuano shows how Toni Morrison is able to use the concept of the slave song in her literature as a defining principle of humanity and a symbol of human endurance. The paper explains the differences between Morrison's and Frederick Douglass' use of the slave song according to Capuano.

From the Paper:

"The differences between Morrison and Douglass' use of the slave song can be explained mainly by examining their intended audiences. Capuano argues that Douglass' work, which acts as one of the comprehensive foundations of present day slave literature, was written for a very different audience with different purposes. Douglass' main concern was the abolition of slavery, and by exposing the brutality of slavery he hoped to hasten this effort. Slave songs are used as anecdotal, factual evidence to expose the human suffering connected with slavery. Morrison echoes this idea of the slave song, as well as using it to challenge the reader in the present day to reflect on the dehumanizing process of slavery."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Capuano, Peter J. "Truth in Timbre :Morrison's extension of slave narrative in the song in Beloved." African-American Review 37-1 (2003): 95-103
• Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, 1845. New York, Penguin, 1986.
• Morrison, Toni. "Beloved." New York, Penguin Books, 1988.

More papers on The Slave Song:

• Article Review # 129314 : "Morrison's Use of the Slave Song"
• Analytical Essay # 120171 : "The Songs of Slaves"
• Essay # 27602 : "Slave Culture"

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