Saturday, October 15, 2016
Why were slave families separated? How did it benefit the master?
In the first chapter of, "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas," he talks about being separated from his family at a very early age. The separation of families would affect the development of the child greatly. This was done to break all connections that the master's slave had. The master would do everything he could to dehumanize his slaves. If the slave felt more like property than a person they had little emotions and would work harder. The slaves wouldn't have compassion towards others because they didn't learn to love their families. Slaves and their families were like strangers to one another.
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I wonder what the difference between a slave that has good connections with their family would be between one that does not. Do you think that they would have been happier and more willing to do work?
ReplyDeleteI think that slaves who were not seperated from their family, had a since of hope that maybe one day they would be free. Which may have been one of the reasons as to why slave masters separated families. So that way they could prevent rebellious groups from forming. I don't think they would have been more willing to work, but I do think they would have been happier.
DeleteGreat post. Do you think a family is an important aspect of human life?
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I would have to agree with your opinion especially the point in which you said that slaves had little emotions (when separated from their families) and would work harder if the slave felt they were more like property than a person.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I would agree with your statement, but I had one major question in mind. Would their lives had more meaning if they had not been sold? (I know that kind of sounds dumb but it is a good question).
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I would concur that slaves seperated from their families would feel more dehumanized, and as a result not feel as though they deserve better treatment and would continue being content as a slave.
ReplyDeleteInsightful post, I wonder if slaves had been given a stronger connection to their families, they would have felt more compelled to work and survive?
ReplyDeleteInsightful post, I wonder if slaves had been given a stronger connection to their families, they would have felt more compelled to work and survive?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Izzie! I had a similar question to Elliott because I'm wondering if maybe the slaves would be more willing to work if they got to have a family, they might also then get distracted.
ReplyDeleteI think you and I agreed on the same points for this question. Although I do have to say I agree with Teja and Elliott on that one point. I think they would work harder if they had someone in their life that they wouldn't want to be hurt.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Do you think maybe they did this to keep the slaves from trying to escape and meet their family's?
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! I also agree with Elliot, Cole, Tera and Sage that they would work harder if they had someone in their life that they cared a lot about. But I would wonder if that would be in fear or because they are more happy.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you and I think this is avery interesting discussion topic. I am also curious about Elliott's question because I feel it is an interesting way to look at it from another perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the effect on the parents? How do you think they would react?
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