The Private Journal - Essay Example

Review Introduction The setting of The Private Journal revolves around the colonial era in America. Sarah Kemble wrotethe journal on account of the experiences she went through while travelling to New York from Boston where she used to live to settle a legal case on behalf of a friend. Amidst her journey, she was met with adversity of using horses to travel for long distances (Knight, 2003). Writing Styles Knight describes the journey in a lively manner by using poems to paint a picture about the situation she encountered while making the journey.

She wrote a number of poems in reflection of the bittersweet moments that she encountered while making the journey. She applies metaphors to describe how America was designed in the ancient days. The journal is also interesting from the way spellings and letters have been combined. The combinations make sounds which can be deciphered. In addition, the journal has a sense of humor that is evident from the poem she composed when she had insomnia during one of the nights (Knight, 2003). The journal also reveals the theme of racism based on what the author recorded in her diary.

It is evident from the text that Knight could be described as a racist from the way she refers to Native Americans living in Connecticut as primitive people and regards African Americans as slaves who do not deserve to sit in the same table with whites. Her sentiments rekindle the brutal experiences Africans underwent during the slavery era (Knight, 2003). Faults in the Journey Although the author of the journal faced serious challenges while making her trip to New York, some words she used were in bad taste.

Her description of the Native Americans who reside in Connecticut as uncivilized people is a reflection of how the author looked down upon other people. The way she depicts the African American wraps up the whole ideology she had on African Americans. To her, the African Americans are supposed to remain as slaves. Besides, she criticizes those who share a common table with them during meals. The author tries to take the reader to a time racial discrimination was rife in America. Knight can be described as a callous person who was very insensitive about the plight of the African Americans during the slavery era (Knight, 2003).

Although her journal can be faulted, in some instances Knight was right. During her time, it was difficult to make journeys using horses due to the adverse environmental conditions. Besides, it was difficult to come across lodging facilities that offered quality hotel services. This part of the journal signifies the harsh economic conditions that people had during the ancient days. A lot of people struggled to fend for their families. Besides, most families were engaged in farming as a way of generating income for their families.

The African Americans worked for the white farmers who had numerous acres of land where they planted cash crops such as cotton. Although the context in which she refers to the plight of the African American is considered controversial for most people, the author in one way highlighted the rough ordeal that the African Americans were undergoing through during her time (Knight, 2003). Conclusion The journal, written by Knight, takes into account several issues that affected the American society during her time.

It was difficult for people to make long journeys using horses that were the main means of transport for many people. Travelers were met with harsh conditions that made it difficult for them to reach their destination especially for ladies. Besides, African Americans were oppressed whereas the economic conditions were unbearable (Knight, 2003). References Knight,S. Kemble (2003) .The Journal of Madam Knight.The Puritans. Ed. Perry Miller and Thomas H. Johnson. New York: American Book Company.

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