Bethune Cookman What Slave Life Was Really Like on A Southern Plantation Discussion
Describe what life was really like for the average slave on a southern plantation by focusing on: 1. Work routines; 2. Food & living conditions, 3. Family life and relations with the owner and the other slaves. Discuss how the information in the slave narratives compares to our general understanding of slavery.
Incorporate specific examples from the slave narratives that are in this module. The goal is to provide a realistic, detailed overview of the conditions experienced by those who were enslaved. Be realistic, do not exaggerate or downplay factors.
Your essay should conform to the following format:
I. Introduction:
- Describe the topic and state how you will describe each of the three main points listed in the question, and then compare that with information in the slave narratives.
- Give the name of the enslaved person’s narrative you are focusing on primarily. You can use more than one.
II. Main topic 1 (Work routines): describe in-depth using detailed examples.
- Describe the work routines for the average slave in depth and provide detailed examples based on your knowledge, the textbook, and the Powerpoint slides.
III. Main topic 2 (Food & living conditions): describe the types and quality of food, home, bedding, clothing, etc… in depth using detailed examples.
- Describe the Food (most slaves on plantations were well enough fed in order to give good work performance so DO NOT say that they weren’t) and living conditions for the average slave in depth and provide detailed examples based on your knowledge, the textbook and PowerPoint slides.
IV. Main topic 3 (Family life and relations with owner and other slaves): Be sure to include discipline by master, resistance by the slaves (various forms)–discuss extended kin, family structure, how slaves interacted and any divisions within the slave community etc… use examples.
- Describe the family life and relations with the owner and other slaves based on your knowledge, the textbook and Powerpoint slides.
V. Discuss how the information in the slave narratives compares to our general understanding of slavery by describing specific experiences of one or more of the slave narratives. Focus on information in the slave narratives that differs from what the average slave experienced.
- This is where you provide your overall interpretation of what all of this tells us about slavery and how this particular enslaved person’s experience compared to the average slave.
