To Be a Slave | Themes

To Be a Slave Themes

Power

Power is the most obvious theme in slavery. It is amazing to us today to think that slavery even existed, let alone that it was socially accepted for so long. It is remarkable that even though only 25% of the South's population participated in slave ownership, they were able to perpetuate it for so long. That is another testimony to power. It is interesting to note that for hundreds of years the white man was able to exert power over thousands of slaves. Even though the white man fears insurrection by his slaves, the white man had the ultimate power: power over an individual.

The slave owners illustrated their power over the slaves daily with the use of forced labor, beatings, whippings, and even killings. It is their belief that they were inferior that kept them obedient and on the premises. Who made them believe they were inferior? The white...
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