Kindred Genres Slave Narrative Genres in Kindred Science

Kindred Genres Slave Narrative

Genres in Kindred Science Fiction? Fantasy? (“Grim Fantasy” – Butler) Historical Fiction? Neo-Slave Narrative? “new” slave narrative Account of ante-bellum slavery in 1 st person, but written in contemporary times – author relies on research, firsthand slave narratives, imagination, historical documents, etc. to CREATE a narrative This is considered fiction (a novel) rather than “nonfiction” or “memoir” (actual slave narratives)

Slave Narratives Written by slaves who had escaped to the North Significant part of the abolitionist movement Drew on Biblical Allusion, graphic imagery, traditions of the captivity narrative, spiritual autobiography Written for mostly white audiences Expose the evils of slavery and galvanize support for abolition movement (in the 1820 s-1850 s) Approx 65 slave narratives published before 1865 From 1760 -1947, more than 200 published

Slave Narratives – general pattern Abruptly brought from state of protected innocence to confrontation with the evil of slavery and captivity Dehumanized at hands of slavery Tries to resist, but fails Balances yearning for freedom against perils of escape (yearning for freedom generally grows with self-reliance due to education, slave-led religion, or exposure to escape networks) Sees his/her condition as a symbol of the suffering condition of all lowly and oppressed Grows in moral and spiritual strength as result of suffering Major trigger or terror – gains new resolve to resist/escape despite former setbacks Fight or escape and journey to redemption (NORTH) Generally must establish credibility as the real author of the narrative (audiences may not believe them)

Kindred as neo-slave narrative Narrator (Dana) is a 20 th century woman travelling back to slavery – complicates the traditional slave narrative AND the neo-slave narrative tradition.