The History of Mary Prince (eBook)

Mary Prince (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
64 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654739118-0 (EAN)

Infos

In "The History of Mary Prince," Mary Prince presents a poignant narrative of her harrowing experiences as an enslaved woman in the West Indies. Written in a straightforward and evocative style, the book combines autobiography with a compelling call for abolition, immersing readers in the brutal realities of slavery. Contextually significant, this work stands as one of the first autobiographies published by a black woman in Britain, effectively highlighting the racial and gender injustices of the time while contributing to the broader abolitionist discourse of the early 19th century. Mary Prince, born into slavery in Bermuda in 1788, underwent severe trauma before gaining her freedom in London. Her personal insights and unwavering courage are further illuminated by her engagement with prominent abolitionists, such as Thomas Pringle, who helped bring her narrative to the public. Prince's life was a testament to the resilience of enslaved individuals, and her work is a vital contribution to both African diaspora literature and historical accounts of slavery. I highly recommend "The History of Mary Prince" to readers interested in understanding the lived experiences of enslaved people, as well as those seeking to explore the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in historical narratives. Prince's voice offers a unique perspective that resonates powerfully in contemporary discussions of equality and justice.

Autor

Mary Prince (c. 1788 – after 1833) was an abolitionist and autobiographer whose single work, 'The History of Mary Prince' (1831), provides a poignant insight into the brutality of slavery in the West Indies. Born into enslavement in Bermuda, Prince's narrative is the first account of the life of a black woman to be published in the United Kingdom. Her work is not merely a personal history but a powerful testimony for the abolition movement, which was gaining momentum at the time of its publication. Prince's narrative is noted for its unflinching portrayal of the cruel conditions faced by enslaved people, particularly women. Her evocative storytelling and vivid characterizations create a poignant and humanizing depiction of the enslaved experience. The text was transcribed by Susanna Strickland, under the editorship of Thomas Pringle, the secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society. Despite questions raised by skeptical audiences of the time about the authenticity of narratives written by black authors, modern scholars affirm the essential veracity of Prince's account. Her narrative remains a significant document for understanding the realities of slavery and has been widely analysed for its contribution to postcolonial literature and feminist narratives (Ferguson, 1987; Salih, 2007). Her voice, representing resilience in the face of oppression, continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike, offering a deeply personal perspective on the atrocity of the transatlantic slave trade.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 13.11.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Biografien / Erfahrungsberichte
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► 20. Jahrhundert bis 1945
• Schlagworte: 19th century autobiography • 19th century memoir • abolitionist literature • abolitionist movement • African Caribbean history • African diasporic history • Alice Walker • antislavery movements • Anti-Slavery Sentiment • Autobiography • Between the World and Me • black woman • Black Women Writers • British colonialism • British colonies • Caribbean slave narrative • chattel slavery • dehumanization stories • Dreams From My Father • emancipation literature • enslaved women's experiences • firsthand slavery account • historical autobiography • historical personal accounts • Historical testimony • human rights activism • James Baldwin • Long Walk to Freedom • Malcolm X • Personal freedom journey • Ralph Ellison • Resilience and courage • Slave Narrative • Small Great Things • The Underground Railroad • Toni Morrison • Transatlantic Slave Trade • Women's history