In class on Tuesday, several people commented on the fact that events in The Heroic Slave were unbelievable. For example, Mr. Listwell transforms his rascist views after he hears Madison’s speech in the woods. Also, probably not very likely is that Madison delivered his speech with extreme eloquence and intelligence. Since he probably did not know how to read or write, sounding as educated as he did would have been impossible. Throughout Madison’s long road to escape, he was forced to hide in a swamp for five years, which is another element of the story that seems questionable. How would he have been able to live in a swamp for five years and wouldn’t his masters have been looking for them?
Though there are many instances in the story that seem hard to believe and it frustrates some readers, it does not bother me in the least. In fact, I have every reason to believe Madison’s story and am very intrigued in his adventures and encounters. The “unreal” element enhances the story and, unlike in NAGP, the story does not seem completely made up. Even though the story may be slightly enhanced for the reader’s pleasure, I find that the impossibility factor is easy to get over and does not distract.
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I full heartily agree with you. The coincidences make the story that much more fantastical, and honestly the probability of Madison having reading/writing skills would have been very unlikely, as well as his capability to perform monologues with the skill of a seasoned orator, but weren't these probabilities the same for Douglass himself? I'm sure if Madison Washington lived and wrote a historical/fictional account on a character describing or named Frederick Douglass, a lot of readers would say "hey, how can he learn how to read/write and con (via) his way into freedom". Which is why, though taking each account with salt, I don't think the book was meant to be read as a factual history text book, but as a inspiring novella meant to encourage, inspire, and raise awareness for abolitionists' cause in anyway.
ReplyDeleteIsaac Adams