Within Herman Melville’s novel Benito Cereno, we are introduced to protagonist Captain Delano and how on a typical day Captain Delano sees a mysterious ship; thus, deciding to take a look at the ship due to the fact that is it described as a “Ghost Ship”—name the San Dominick. Once aboard Captain Delano has an unusual feeling, later on, we are told that the ship they are on was a slave ship; however, due to conditions that arose while at traveling at sea Benito decided to let the slaves “free” to help in the survival of the crew and the ship. While Captain Delano’s visit this San Dominick mysterious things begin to happen. For instance, the ship till the date was a slave ship the only reason as to why it is not considered a slave ship anymore
Charles Johnson's use of journal entries in his novel, The Middle Passage, is a powerful literary device that enhances the impact of the story. By incorporating personal accounts and first-hand experiences of characters, Johnson brings a level of authenticity and emotional depth to the novel that would be impossible to achieve through narration alone. Johnson's use of journal entries in The Middle Passage is a key factor in its ability to convey the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and the impact it had on the lives of those who were forced to endure it. One of the most striking aspects of The Middle Passage is the vividness and detail with which Johnson portrays the experience of being a slave aboard a slave ship.
Benito Cereno is ship’s captain and seems strange to Delano. He wonders about Benito’s history and why he acts odd, but brushes off apprehensions about the man and understands Cereno has been through a lot. Foreshadows that he may be trusting someone bad, should’ve followed his gut feeling. Cereno can’t remember story. Says he tries to reach shore, but can’t b/c
Some slaves jumped overboard then suffering. Others staged violent shipboard
He describes the anguish, anxiety and despair that surrounded him on the slave ship with vivid detail. He leaves no detail spared as he describes slaves throwing themselves off of the boat seeing death as a better alternative than the fate that awaits them. Equino uses imagery in his text to show the reader the anguish they felt and appeals to the readers emotions to elicit a response to the wrongdoings of the white men that had enslaved them and kept them in such horrible conditions. For example he writes, “One day they had taken a number of fishes; and when they had killed and satisfied themselves with as many as they thought fit, to our astonishment who were on the deck, rather than give any of them to us to eat, as we expected, they tossed the remaining fish into the sea again…”(pg. 173) this shows the reader the cruelty of the men on the boat and makes the reader feel an emotion.
From the beginning, Douglass’ life was a struggle; especially since his first master, Captain Anthony, and overseer, Mr. Plummer, were both merciless beings. The title “Captain” was thought to have come from Anthony’s time sailing the Chesapeake Bay. Described as “a cruel man, hardened by a long life of slaveholding”, Captain Anthony would often take sadistic pleasure in torturing Douglass’s Aunt by tying her up and whipping her until she bled. Mr. Plummer also took part in these heinous acts. He was “a miserable drunkard, a profane swearer, and a savage monster.”
In the passage, Frederick Douglass speaks about the particulars of his state of mind as an escaped slave, a fugitive, in 1830’s New York. Throughout the passage, Douglass comprehensively uses similes and metaphors, as well as tone shifts, and repetition, to fully impart unto the reader his not only elation at being free but also his fears, exhaustion and his anxiety towards trusting people. This garners both empathy and understanding from his audience. Douglass opens the passage by describing parts of his escape to New York, comparing his elation to that of a “mariner . . .
Equiano described the horrors of a slave ship based on his firsthand experience. He describes what it was like to be thrown onto a ship, the indescribable smell of being crammed on the deck with so many other slaves, and the floggings he and the other slaves received for not eating. The slaves were so tightly packed together the air was dangerous to breath, and many of the slaves became sick and died from it, while others suffocated to death. Men were pushed to the brink of starvation, tried to steal food, and were severely flogged for it. Others tried to jump overboard and drown rather than accept their life of misery.
The pirate that Douglass has escaped from is slavery, which he fears may follow him and try to recapture him. Douglass explains that the maxim he learned as a slave, “Trust no man”, is still a part of his thoughts. The sense of fear that was present with Douglass in the South has been brought with him to the North. Even though he is surrounded by thousands, he feels that every white man is an enemy, while every black man isn’t trustable. While Douglass desires to connect with people in New York, he fears that someone he speaks to will lead him to be captured by slave traders and brought back into slavery.
Racism is not always mean. Well, it is, but it does not always appear that way. Compliments can be given, but even compliments can be ironic and sarcastic all depending on the way they are said and the contextual circumstances they are said in. In Herman Melville’s Benito Cereno, race, and slavery in particular, plays a major role throughout the course of the novel. The whole novel is a commentary on the opinions of slavery and the raises questions that make readers question their opinions about the human rights and political relationships at hand.
Many of the sailors were accurately portrayed by their actions, by throwing slaves into the ocean, flogging, beaten, tortured, and other forms of cruel punishment. “Alexander Falconbridge was a surgeon on slave ships in the 18th century. An abolitionist and governor himself is guilty of all the violent attacks towards slaves. A disgraces to human nature, and profound language were brutal examples sailors often used towards slaves.” ( First Hand; Accounts Study).
By using symbolism and an apostrophe when describing the white-sailed ships, Douglass emphasizes his need for freedom. In a sudden burst of anger and desperation, Douglass says, “You are freedom’s swift-winged angels, that fly round the world ; I am confined in the bands of iron.” The poor man’s mind is anguished, as he is willing to talk to an inanimate object about his misery. This apostrophe projects his ongoing struggle to achieve freedom and how he longs for it. Mournfully, Douglass gazes at “the countless number of ships moving off to the mighty ocean.”
In this paper, I will discuss the similarities, and the differences between “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” and “Journal of the First Voyage to America”. Both stories are trying to persuade the readers to reach their personal goal. However, there are a lot of differences between these two stories: different reader, different purpose,... Starting with, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano”. The author in his writing is talking about the living condition of the slaves on the ship.
The most intriguing and adventurous writer in American history is world renown novelist, Herman Melville. Not only was Melville a brilliant novelist, he also dabbled in poetry and many short stories. Having much experience as a sailor, Melville particularly enjoyed life at sea. Herman Melville was born in Manhattan, New York City, NY on August 1, 1819. Melville’s father, Allan Melvill, was a prosperous merchant in New York City.
Civilization and Identity in Herman Melville’s Typee ``How often is the term "savages" incorrectly applied! None really deserving of it were ever yet discovered by voyagers or by travelers. They have discovered heathens and barbarians, whom by horrible cruelties they have exasperated into savages.
Herman Melville was born in New York City on August 1, 1819, to Allan and Maria Gansevoort Melvill. In the mid-1820s, young Herman became ill with scarlet fever. He soon overcame the fever, though it left his vision permanently impaired. The family did enjoy a prosperous life for many years because of Allan Melvill's success as a importer and merchant. Although he was borrowing heavily to finance his business needs, and after he moved the family upstate to Albany in a failing attempt to branch into the fur trade in 1830, the family's fortune took a big hit.