An Era Of Inhumanity Essay Example

this idyllic setting, and the reader experiences dramatic irony as Tom remains oblivious to the impending tragedy while the reader anticipates a disruptive change (Stowe 25).In the village of Juffure, located north of the coast of the Gambia, West Africa, a manchild named Kunta Kinte is born to Omoro and Binta Kinte (Haley 1). Kunta is described as bright, tenacious, bold, confident, and honest as he grows older. This portrayal by Haley is similar to Stowe's intention of depicting African-Americans in a positive light, highlighting their history before being enslaved. The African ancestors of these individuals had achieved great things and left a lasting impact on future generations. They were educated and civilized, not savages or inhumane in their homeland. Kunta greatly admires his father and aspires to be like him when he becomes a man. Life in Juffure is peaceful, with young children playing wrestling matches and listening eagerly to moral stories from the village grandmothers. Older children attend school to learn about their forefathers' history and verses from the Koran. After-school, they are responsible for tending their fathers' goats with utmost care. The women of Juffure spend their days cooking breakfast, working in the rice fields, and preparing dinner for their families.In spite of their constant busyness, the villagers find time to relax and gossip by the town well. The men then proceed with their work of preparing the land for farming the primary crops. Following dinner, they gather around the village bonfire with the Juffure's Council of Elders to discuss the various issues that have arisen within the village.

Unlike Stowe, Haley does not seek to heighten the reader's emotions when tragedy strikes.

Instead, he simply paints a picture of Kunta's life in an African village during the 1700s. By depicting Juffure, Haley demonstrates that the Africans had their own distinct way of life in Africa. They were not considered savages by whites, but rather civilized human beings with established systems and order in their villages, as well as a highly respectable family structure.

Haley also presents a different culture and time period to the reader, allowing for comparison with their own way of life. Additionally, the reader gains knowledge about Haley's ancestors and their unique culture, providing some understanding of the origins of African-Americans in our society today.

Unfortunately, we are later informed of the tragic fate of Uncle Tom, shattering the transient utopia depicted in Uncle Tom's Cabin.Although he is Mr. Shelby's most skilled worker, he will be sold to a slave trader due to Mr. Shelby's accumulated debt. This will result in his relocation "down south" to a plantation where he will likely suffer exhaustion and malnutrition, ultimately leading to his premature death. As he bids his final farewells and departs from his home and loved ones with uncertainty about his return, it is remarkable to witness his unwavering loyalty and determination to please his master, regardless of the consequences. He is a remarkably sacrificial individual who willingly sacrifices everything of importance in his life to alleviate his master's financial burden. His honesty and submissive demeanor evoke a sense of empathy and contribute to the melancholic atmosphere. However, this scene appears somewhat unrealistic; one cannot help but be astonished by Uncle Tom's ability to remain devoted to his master while sacrificing his own wellbeing. It is heartbreaking

for the reader to witness such an extraordinary level of piety and honesty in a world defined by injustice. Stowe may have exaggerated these emotions to evoke grief among southern plantation owners and compel them to recognize the suffering endured by their slaves. As a result, one starts questioning the existence of justice in the world and pondering why Uncle Tom deserves such immense anguish. The truth is that he has done nothing wrong; he tragically becomes a victim of the inhuman nature of slavery. Similarly, tragedy strikes in Juffure as well.At the age of sixteen, Kunta is taken captive by white slave traders, shattering his peaceful life and disrupting his path into manhood. Throughout the journey to America, he endures numerous hardships such as diseases, filth, brutality, heat exhaustion, and hunger. In a dark and oppressive environment, Kunta wakes up naked and shackled between two other men, surrounded by a nauseating stench and chaotic scenes of screaming, praying, and vomiting (Haley 150). The cramped space leaves no room for movement, forcing the men to relieve themselves where they lay and remain bound in their own filth. This unsanitary conditions result in the rapid spread of diseases, lice, and fleas within the hold. The relentless bites and itching from body lice worsen over time. The filth attracts thousands of lice and fleas that swarm all over the cramped space, particularly in areas where hair is present such as Kunta's armpits and around his feet. The constant scratching provides temporary relief but can't fully alleviate the intense discomfort (Haley 159). Additionally, the rough wooden boards constantly rubbing against their backs gradually wear away their skin and

muscles until their bones become visible.Kunta's screams were joined by the cries of others as they moved up and down or side to side, causing the chained men's naked shoulders, elbows, and buttocks, which were already infected and bleeding, to grind even harder against the rough boards below them, further irritating their soft, infected skin until their muscles began to rub against the boards (Haley 179). In the ship's hold where these men lay, there was constant moaning and screaming from both physical and mental anguish. Haley depicts the inhumane journey from Africa to America to emphasize the hardships endured by African-Americans during their unwilling voyage. They were forcefully brought here, suffering immense physical and emotional pain. Additionally, Haley reminds readers that their lives were disrupted by slavery; they lost their homes, families, and ways of life. Most significantly, they lost their identities and origins due to the cultural shift in America. Through his portrayal, Haley offers a vivid depiction of the physical and emotional devastation that may be unimaginable for some readers. Despite enduring a long and agonizing journey across the ocean, Kunta continues to face numerous difficulties. He is isolated from other black individuals, rejects his African heritage and customs, and feels like an outsider among his fellow African-Americans.He fails to comprehend their customs and society, just as they cannot comprehend his own ways and culture. He believes they are heathens and a disgrace to the black community. Unlike him, they consume pork and smoke tobacco, both of which are strictly prohibited in his African village. Haley portrays the cruelty of slavery and its detrimental impact on individuals with more realism than Stowe.

The treacherous journey is accurately described and supported by evidence. While reading about their voyage, the reader experiences the physical and mental torment these men endure, hearing the screams and moans in their minds. The reader empathizes with these unfortunate individuals in this horrific scene, gaining insight into their experiences. They come to recognize that these people are also human beings and can feel emotions just like anyone else, regardless of their skin color. Stowe also emphasizes the slaves' yearning for freedom. By narrating a family's challenging and perilous quest for liberation, she effectively portrays the determination of those who escaped from slavery. Throughout the entire novel, Uncle Tom does not actively pursue his own freedom. However, we are introduced to Eliza, Harry, and George: a family whose ultimate desire is to gain freedom together.When Eliza overhears her master discussing the sale of her son Harry alongside Uncle Tom, she decides to flee to Canada, fully aware of the risks and dangers involved. Determined to stay with her only child, she is assisted by Quakers and abolitionists in reuniting with her husband and successfully escaping to Canada, where they finally experience freedom. The image of Eliza leaping across the icy river with Harry in her arms may seem unrealistic, leading readers to question if some divine intervention or supernatural force was at play. Stowe uses this fictional scene to highlight Eliza's desperate longing for freedom, a fundamental right for all humans. Similarly, Haley focuses on a slave named Kunta's relentless pursuit of freedom through multiple attempted escapes. Despite never achieving success, Kunta never loses hope of returning to his village and reuniting with his family.

He keenly observes his surroundings, learning the landscapes and customs of this new country to increase his chances of escaping and reclaiming his freedom. Though fleeting, these moments of freedom bring him immense joy.Springing up, Kunta slipped away from the fallen driver and overturned flame, fearing another barking dog. He ran through frosted cotton stalks, his muscles screaming with pain but feeling the rush of cold air on his skin. Despite the dangers and consequences, slaves like Kunta longed for freedom, either by purchasing it or escaping slavery. However, Kunta's dream is shattered when slave trackers catch him and sever the front portion of his right foot. This tragic event extinguishes the flame of freedom as Kunta realizes he will never be free in America. As one slave tracker ties Kunta's foot tightly to a trunk, the other picks up an ax. Kunta screams and thrashes as the ax swiftly cuts through his skin, tendons, muscles, and bone, causing unimaginable agony.At the moment when pain surged through him like an explosion, Kunta's body spasmed forward and his hands flailed downwards in an attempt to save his front half of the foot, which was plummeting forward. Bright red blood gushed from the stump as he descended into darkness (Haley 244). This pivotal moment evokes deep sadness in the reader and elicits a sense of disappointment in Kunta. His yearning for freedom is completely shattered, leaving him destined to a life of slavery in a distant land. Although Kunta's quest for freedom may be fictional, it is far more realistic compared to Eliza's miraculous escape. Kunta is repeatedly captured and his persistent efforts showcase his determination and

resilience, both of which have been shaped by his experiences in Africa. However, similar to Stowe, Haley skillfully enables readers to sympathize with Kunta's unfortunate fate. In his commentary, Edmund Wilson notes that the novel does not solely serve as an indictment against the South by New England. Instead, Mrs. Stowe intentionally weaves a story that implicates both the Southern states and New England in the kidnapping and mistreatment of slaves, emphasizing the impracticality of slavery as a lasting institution.The text suggests that Stowe did not solely criticize the South but also condemned the North. She depicted the plight of African-Americans and introduced a slave owner named Simon Legree to criticize the South. In addition, she introduced Miss Ophelia to criticize the North. Initially, Miss Ophelia displayed prejudice towards slaves and believed they were too unintelligent to receive an education. Stowe aimed to shed light on the suffering caused by slavery for both the North and South. By depicting Uncle Tom's tearful farewell with his family, she allowed readers to empathize with the characters' experiences. This experience allowed readers to understand the pain of losing loved ones for someone else's debts and comprehend what it feels like to be treated as property rather than an individual (Lynn 563; Wilson 564).According to Lynn, the characters in Uncle Tom's Cabin are shockingly believable, regardless of the factitious and dramatic situations they are placed in. These characters include both black and white, Northern and Southern individuals. Stowe's intention with these fictional characters is to symbolize the people of America during the time of slavery. In the South, there were individuals like Simon Legree who treated their slaves brutally

and with hatred, often treating their dogs better than their slaves. They also took advantage of their female slaves for their own pleasure. However, there were also individuals in the South, known as Evas, who did not judge African-Americans based on their skin color but rather their personalities. They treated their slaves as human beings and loved them deeply, even emancipating them from slavery. In the North, there were individuals like Miss Ophelia who despised the South for practicing slavery but still held prejudice towards black individuals. Leslie A. Fiedler further comments on Uncle Tom's Cabin, noting how certain scenes of separated families and motherly love may be undercut for bourgeois readers who only see slavery as an offense against the sacred family and suffering mother.(Fiedler 565) Fiedler, like Lynn, acknowledges Stowe's aim to evoke empathy for the slaves by depicting the sorrow experienced within a family, a sentiment that resonates with everyone. When Eliza discovers that her only child is to be sold, one transcends beyond racial prejudice and begins to empathize with Eliza's pain as a mother. This realization leads one to understand that these oppressed individuals are indeed human beings, with their own poignant sufferings comparable to anyone else's. They are not ignorant savages solely reliant on the white man's authority; rather, they are individuals deserving of freedom, just like anyone else. In his assessment of Roots, James Baldwin asserts the following: The narrative of "Roots" commences in Gambia West Africa in 1750 with the birth of one of Haley's ancestors, Kunta Kinte. Haley skillfully succeeds in recreating this era and location where many before him have faltered. It is evident that

he dedicated extensive time and effort to attain such fluency and elegance, as he appears to have been born in his ancestral village and acquainted with all its inhabitants. (Baldwin 259) Baldwin clearly comprehends Haley's objective of tracing his true heritage back to Africa. However, in order to do so, Haley conducted extensive research spanning both America and Africa. The fruits of Haley's thorough investigation are evident. As Baldwin noted, Haley masterfully portrays life in Juffure, conveying a sense of personal familiarity with Kunta's upbringing in his native village.In addition, there is the belief that Haley actually experienced the life of Kunta Kinte and simply wrote his own autobiography. The combination of research and imagination demonstrated by Haley in creating such a realistic depiction of a world from over two centuries ago is truly astounding. Similar to James Baldwin, Arnold Rampersad acknowledges Haley's intention in writing Roots, explaining that it is not solely to uncover unadorned truth but also to validate the history of black Americans. Haley aims to make people comprehend the forceful separation from their homeland and families endured by African-Americans due to the actions of slave traders. He strives for recognition of African-Americans as individuals with a rich history, rather than being perceived as untamed savages wandering the jungles. These societies had their own forms of order and were civilized in their unique manner. Moreover, through Roots, Haley offers insight to those who are unaware of their origins, aiding in their understanding of their heritage and the ways of their ancestors in Africa. Similarly to Rampersad's viewpoint, Haley's purpose lies in "justifying the history of blacks in America." Conversely, Russell Warren Howe

holds differing opinions on the matter.The commentary in question expresses criticism towards Haley's work, citing factual errors in the key historical aspects despite his remarkable accomplishments and extensive research. The portrayal of Juffure in the 1750s is mentioned as being similar to its present state, but this is incorrect since rice was not introduced until later years and only became a staple diet after World War II in Gambia. Additionally, there is mention of Kinte being weaned at 13 months, which is conceivable given today's availability of powdered milk and formula, but was unthinkable in traditional West Africa where weaning didn't occur until the age of three or later. Furthermore, it is stated that adults in the village know their ages, which remains an unlikely situation even today. These are just a few minor inconsistencies (Howe 248).

It is clear that Howe fails to grasp Haley's purpose in writing Roots. Howe incorrectly perceives Haley's intention to be writing a history book and consequently highlights the minor historical errors present. However, it is important to understand that Haley did not intend to write a history book; instead, he sought to document his own family's saga in order to uncover his true ancestry and share the history of his people with the world. Rather than fixating on the minor historical inaccuracies, attention should be directed towards the struggles faced by families and individuals as well as the mistreatment endured by some black individuals under white masters. Each book endeavors to appeal to the reader's conscience.Stowe and Haley, although different in their approaches, were both motivated by distinct reasons for writing their books. Stowe's intention was to criticize both

the North, for allowing slavery to continue, and the South, for actively practicing it. Accordingly, she adopted a general tone and exaggerated elements of her novel to evoke reader sympathy for the African-American race. In contrast, Haley aimed to uncover his own origins and assist other African-Americans in realizing their ancestral heritage, even if it couldn't be precisely traced. Consequently, his purpose was primarily personal and his book more grounded in reality. Nevertheless, both authors effectively convey the humanity of these individuals, refuting stereotypes of stupidity or ignorance based solely on their skin color. Consequently, they highlight the significance of freedom and prompt readers to reconsider how they often take it for granted, while those enslaved could only dream of such liberation during that era.