After reading the Heroic Slave, I was a bit puzzled to why Douglass choose to write this novel, which was based on an actual event, as a ledged of sorts, rather than as a memoir. Writing this piece through Madison Washington’s perspective would have been much more meaningful and persuasive to me. Rather Douglass chooses to write Washington’s story as seen by Mr. Listwell and the First Mate. There are three possible reasons that I can think of as to why Douglass choose to do this. First, Douglass’ audience was white northerners, just like Mr. Listwell. Reading a story narrated by a man much like themselves, may have made Washington’s story much more relatable and reliable. Second, the heroes of legends never tell their own story. If Washington was a noble and true as Douglass described him to be, then he would have never told his own story and described him self with such valor. That would have been considered cocky. Lastly, providing two different views, the view of a white northern gentleman, like Mr. Listwell, and the view of a southern sailor, provides validity and truth to Washington’s immaculate story. Douglass even admits the three coincidental meetings between Washington and Listwell were immaculate and therefore, sought to qualify Washington’s story with two “unbiased” views.
P.S. I was unable to previously post my intro (I’m really bad with technology). So, I guess I will introduce my self now, and, again, I apologize that this is so late. So, Hi! I’m Rebekah. I am a freshman and I live in Ehringhaus down on South campus. I am from just outside of Charlotte and I live on a farm with cows and chickens back home. I have two brothers, Joseph, and Ben, and a sister, Sarah. My major is (hopefully!) nursing. I like running, cooking, and travel. And lastly, two interesting facts about me: I am deaf in one ear, and my lucky numbers are 5 and 8 because I am 5’8”, I was born on August 5th, and my shoe size is 8.5J
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I agree with most of what you said, but especialy the last idea. I really appreciated the fact that Douglass opted to use these sailors to tell the final leg of the story. I think that it was crucial because had Douglass had Listwell tell it, it would have been a story told in complete awe which would have detracted from the intensity of what happened. And, had Douglass had Washington himself tell it... well, I can't even picture that, to be honest with you. I agree completely that he wouldn't have told it completely because he would be too modest. In having the sailors tell it, it is awe-inspiring in a way that having Mr. Listwell gush over the story wouldn't have been. I think people can complain that the story isn't realistic enough but, in this final chapter, I feel like Douglass has completely redeemed himself (although I hardly feel like he needed to, even)in the eyes of the reader and has given us the so desired realistic story full of horrible consequences.
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was interesting that "The Heroic Slave" was written from the viewpoint of two characters who had firsthand experience with Madison Washington-- Mr. Listwell and the sailor, Tom Grant. I think that the novella is presented to the reader in a way that is comparable to how it would have actually spread throughout the states by means of gossip and story telling. This is not only because it is highly unlikely that Madison Washington would have been willing to tell the story himself, but also it adds to the heroism of the main character. If the story was worthy of being repeated as if it was a legend, then surely Madison Washington was an exceptional hero. I also agree that having it told through the voices of white characters considerably increases the story's validity and adds a discernible emotional aspect that the reader is able to detect. A southern sailor that gains respect, not hatred, for a slave that mutinied aboard his ship makes the reader pause to consider the venerable nature of Madison Washington.
ReplyDeleteI actually really liked that none of the novella was told through Washington's point of view... especially the final chapter. In having two random people telling the story as they knew it, it made it seem more awe-inspiring to me rather than if Washington were to be like, "I over took the ship. We planned it this way and it worked really well." I think maybe Pym could've learned something from this narrative; had Pym's story been told by someone who was watching (somehow... heh heh) I think it would have made it, at the very least, less boastful. I dunno. Point is: I really thought that having outside people tell Washington's story was a stroke of genius, particularly at the end, because (as others have said) it made him seem more like a legend. (which is cool.)
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