In reading American literature students are confronted with many different perspectives on the same issues. The stories and narratives of American slaves shined a different light on American history. In Language Arts students study the stories of slaves in conjunction to learning about the development of America in literature.
Comment on your favorite slavery narrative and why you feel the story is important.
I honestly can't recall a specific slave story that I studied in high school. I know I had to read Frederick Douglass, but I don't remember much about it. I am commenting on this so that Dr. AZ knows I saw your blog post. Sorry I don't have much information to contribute.
ReplyDeleteHuff thanks for your honesty, however you have proven the problem we are facing in the classroom. Students are not being taught a variety of literature though it is part of the pacing guides and the textbook. Teachers are taking it upon themselves to omit the Native American and slavery stories. I tried to leave the question board, but what I am really questioning is teacher revision of what is being taught. In American literature it is almost impossible to leave out the slavery and Native American stories but it is happening in modern classrooms.
ReplyDeleteMany people get the story of Frederick Douglass in high school and it is one of many that are required in American literature.
ReplyDeleteMegan Morgan
12:57 PM
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William Styron, Confessions of Nat Turner (1967) is the slavery literature that stands out to me. I know I read several others in high school and college, but this is the one that I remembered. Nat Turner's rebellion did two things: (1) made more strict regulations for slaves, starting with those in the Carolinas and (2) it is said was a major part of the beginning of the Civil War. I like the Nat Turner rebellion
because it shows what one person can do if they stand up for what they believe in. He brought numerous slaves closer together because he gave them hope.
Hey Megan I had to copy your comment so it would show in the proper place on the blog. Nat Turner is a great slave story to share based on the development in American literature. When sharing slave stories I like for the students to be able to draw connections to events in history and how that affects their lives. Thanks Megan.
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