Slave Trade by Voltaire and Gronniosaw - Essay Example

Topic: Atlantic Slave Trade The overview of passages The two passages taken from Voltaire’s Candide and Gronniosaw’s emphasis on the Atlantic Slave Trade existed in the between the 17th and 19th century. The two passages had documented writing in first person and portray the experience of an African slave and the pains undergone by them. The writing has been overly effective in expressing the atrocities of white men and pain they afflict upon black people. The frustration and desperation of a Black man can be extracted from the writing as the information is documented in first person. The author here has attempted to show the helpless state of a black man under the colonial rule of white people. Being tortured and falling victim to slavery, they have forgotten the joy of life and its comforts. However one of the passages also depicts the virtuous side of the white man. In the first passage where Candide is conversing with the black slave we can see that, the Dutch man sympathizing on the situation of the Black slave. He was astonished by the cruel deeds of the master of the black man and express benevolence and distress for him. Here Candide , hearing upon the suffering of black slave praises his optimism after undergoing all torture and pain. However, in the second passage ofGronniosaw, the white man willing to take the black man to home was depicted as a cunning man who deceived the Negro. This passage is more about the discomfort and anguish experienced by a slave on being traded to white masters. Summary of the two passages First passage of Voltaire’s Candide In the first passage, the Voltaire Candide encounters a black man who is half naked and handicapped on his travel to an African coast of Guniea. The Black man is emancipated with one leg and a hand missing. On confronting him, Candide is traumatized and enquires upon his miserable status. The Negro explains that it is a custom to cut off leg and hands on the commitment of cheating or unloyalty. The Candide is amazed by the cruelty of white men and express his concern over it. The black man in the conversation further express his opinion on the aspect of equality and liberty which had been preaching by his master in the Sunday sermons in Church. Hearing the protest of Black man Candide praised him for his optimism and expectations. In the second passage, we are presented with a feeling of despair, sorrow and desperation of a Black slave who has left his home for slavery. Here he exclaims that a white merchant comprehending his unhappy situation invites him to join his home. The white merchant explains black men about the comfort of his home and how he could develop friendship with his children and enjoy his life. Here the black slave is recollecting his old memories before he left his family. He repents now for the mistake of leaving his family on the false promises of the White merchant. Comparison between two passages The first and second pages have many similarities as both are pictured in the context of Atlantic slave trade. In both of these passages the main subject is the pain undergone by an African slave at the hands of white men. In both of these passages the most of the conversation is held by the black men who are slaves. The centre character in both the passages are Black men and the theme is also revolves around them. Both the passage highlights on the subject of discrimination faced by Black men under the white colonial rule. Both the black slaves in the passages are victims of torture by white merchants. Both black men in the passages had left their homes in pursuit of happiness, comfort and money. In both these passages, we are presented with the brutal and vicious behavior of white men before 19th century. These passages depict the discrimination, inequality, racism and atrocities of white men in the name of color of the skin. These two passages are an indication of misery and sorrow of the black men and comfort and luxuries enjoyed by the white men. These black men here have been deceived by white merchants and been lured with false promises. These passages give a clear picture of the life of black people in the olden centuries. The grievance of the family of the black slaves is a highlight in both the passages. These passages show the value of black men in those days. Another common ground in both the passage is the guilt of black slaves on their separation from their family. It also shows how the greed for comfort and money led them to misery and sorrowness. The ignorance and unawareness of the black people in olden times is also a subject in the passages. In both the passages we can perceive the naïve nature of black people. These passages show how white merchants made profit and benefit out of black men by trading them for petty amounts. These writings show that the blacks in their own land were deprived of their rights and freedom. It also describes the degree to which the white men exploited the African continent .Both these passages are indication of the selfish nature of human and tendency to be tyrannical and dictatorial. Contrast between the two passages The two passages share some dissimilarity from each other on the account of conversation presented. In the first passage, the conversation between the black slave and the Dutch man is portrayed while in the second passage only the account of black slave is documented. The black slave in the first passage is depicted as significantly tortured and abused by his white master. In the second passage only the mental suffering of the slave is depicted. The black slave in the first passage is sold by his parents to the white merchant while the slave in the second passage voluntarily joins the white merchant. The first passage explains how the black people used to sell their sons to white men for money and reputation .while the second passage explains the ignorance of the black slave and how in his look out for comfort entraps himself in the hands of white merchant. In the first passage the black slave is resentful over the action of his family .He despairingly speaks about his family to the Dutchman. However in the second passage, the black man explains about his old memories of him being with his family and is being nostalgic. Among both the passages, the black man in the first passage seems to be more knowledgeable and enquires about the issue of equality and freedom .He is also the one who is more inflicted with pain both mentally and physically. The first passage comparing to the second one is more horrendous and dreadful. The black slave in the first passage has been exploited by his family and white master alike. However, the slave in the second passage has been a victim of his own desires and passions...The slave in the first passage is not guilty of anything, while the one in the second passage is guilty for his action of joining the white merchant. The slave in the first passage is more optimistic and brave than the slave in the second passage. After undergoing severe hardship and torture, he is still referring to his parents in less ill manner .The slave in the second passage is not shown to be under torture but is more of emotionally devastated, still his anticipation are not as high as slave in first passage. Read More