LITR 5731: Seminar in American Multicultural Literature

Web Highlight, spring 2006

Thursday, 16 February: complete Song of Solomon; begin Push.

Web-highlighter: Crystal Reppert (midterms)

I chose the two papers that I am showing you because they both focus to some extent on issues that I feel are prominent in education - oppression and gender choices.

Jane Ftacnik’s paper, “Precious, Corinthians, and Douglass: Literacy as relief from oppression?” (2003), pointed out the discrepancy between literacy as a tool of liberation and as a method of “oppression by members of the dominant society” (Ftacnik, 2003).  She describes the efforts of Douglas (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas) to become literate and highlights his conviction, after hearing his master’s condemnation of educating a slave, “that literacy is the key to freedom for him” (Ftacnik, 2003). 

Ftacnik makes clear in her paper that although Douglas eventually does attain his freedom from slavery, a state he may not have attained without literacy, he is prevented from the full use of his skills beyond what is regulated by the dominant culture - white male paternalistic standards.  “Even though Douglas is highly literate and is able to write a book, he still must succumb to the oppression of white people” (Ftacnik, 2003). 

She furthers her argument in her discussion of First Corinthians (Song of Solomon).  “Yet, here is evidence that even though she is literate, Corinthians was a powerless black woman in a society controlled by wealthy white people” (Ftacnik, 2003).  I think she may have been off the mark here, but she re-establishes the link between paternalism and oppression in her comment, “Her powerfulness works against her because the professional black men do not want someone who is already successful; rather, they are searching for someone who is hungry for success” (Ftacnik, 2003).  In other words, someone whose success they can control and take credit for.

Erin Gouner’s paper, “Ain’t I A Woman” (2001), focuses on the double minority issue of black women.  She writes of Brent’s dependence on help from a white male.  On the one hand the white male system has her enslaved, but on the other it is a white male who will free her children.  “Jacobs shows that she is forced to rely on white men for protection and, she hopes, freedom” (Gourner 2001).

Like Ftacnik, she uses First Corinthians to further her point about the double oppression of black women.  “Corinthians exemplifies the double minority plight because she tries to improve her situation through the ideals of the dominant culture”  (Gourner 2001).  In doing this “she losses a connection to her community” (Gourner 2001).

In writing about Push, Gourner focuses on the control of the father.  “Precious’ own father  controls her and her mother through emotional, physical, and sexual abuse - much like a slave owner” (Gourner 2001). 

I think the best statement of the paper is in her conclusion.  She had opened the paper with a line from the speech of Sojourner Truth, “Ain’t I a woman?”.  Gourner concludes with questioning that query and rephrasing it, “Perhaps the real question is - Ain’t I a Human?” (Gourner 2001).