The Importance of the Slave Narrative to Early Civil Rights Movements
During the civil rights movement, slave narratives were integral pieces that were useful to address inequality and oppression. On the one hand, such narratives were used to demonstrate the horrid experiences of all enslaved individuals, delving deeper into their pain. According to Rodrigues, with such first-hand accounts of these moments, authors were able “to make readers witnesses of the horrors of slavery in a more visceral way, through images” (Rodriguez 1).
Additionally, such works were helpful in not only spreading awareness but also evoking a sense of morality and justice across the nations. With such approaches, authors could shed light on the principles of liberty and the reality of slavery (Andrews 20). Therefore, one can see the extent to which the mentioned narratives were essential to the movements and fighting for freedom.
Identifying the Main Audience of Northup’s Narrative and His Appeal to Them
In his memoir, Solomon Northup focuses on his story, involving both slavery and life in freedom. The target audience of the man’s work is the general American public, consisting not simply of abolitionists and those interested in the subject but also those who experienced such hardships. The writer appeals to the readers from the beginning by emphasizing his willingness to “repeat the story of [his] life, without exaggeration, leaving it for others to determine, whether even the pages of fiction present a picture of more cruel wrong or a severer bondage” (Northup 20). With such an approach, he sets the tone of authenticity in his book.
At the same time, the author wants to show that his story is not unique from those of others. As Northup claims, “thus far the history of [his] life presents nothing whatever unusual” (Northup 32). With such a quote, the man wants to emphasize that his struggles are similar to the experiences of other people of color who were oppressed. Being exposed to the pain and injustice, the author speaks about how a formerly enslaved person was still mistreated despite the fact that he “had wronged no man, nor violated any law” (Northup 47). By offering credible first-hand accounts, the author connected with the readers.
Works Cited
Andrews, William L. Slavery and Class in the American South: A Generation of Slave Narrative Testimony, 1840-1865. Oxford University Press, 2019.
Northup, Solomon. Twelve Years a Slave. Open Road Integrated Media, Inc., 2000. Web.
Rodriguez, Jacqueline. “The Graphic Novel as Argument: Visual Representation Strategy In Kyle Baker’s” Nat Turner”.” Inquiries Journal, vol. 13, no. 2, 2021, pp. 1-9. Web.
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