IAH 221C Study Guide - Final Guide: Slave Catcher, Slave Narrative, Doghouse
24 Feb 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Colson whitehead"s the underground railroad is a classic example of a neo-slave narrative novel, which is reconfigured from the slave narrative form. Slave narratives are written by formerly enslaved africans and african americans during the antebellum period with the purpose of convincing the reader that slavery be abolished. In contrast, the neo-slave narrative is written in contemporary times and uses characterization to discuss the experience of slavery. Similarly, whitehead"s novel is a counter-narrative to the accepted history of slavery, yet it doesn"t undermine the realism of the unfolding story. Overall, by examining the characterization of cora and ridgeway, we can see resilience against oppressors versus belief in american imperialism. This is important within the underground railroad because it shows how the enslaved person and slave catcher are reimagined to demonstrate contemporary affairs of speculative fiction. To begin, cora is portrayed as a relatively flat character since she remains consistent with her rebellious and brave acts.
