House Slaves example essay topic

Most slaves worked in the fields, but few had other jobs. House slaves cleaned, cooked, washed, sewed and took care of children in the big house or plantation mansion. Their jobs were easier than working in the cotton or rice fields, but many were house slaves who suffered constant criticism from their watchful owners. Some slaves were skilled craft workers. These slaves worked as blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers, and ironworkers. A few slaves worked in factories or on the docks in cities such as Charleston and Savannah.

These slaves sometimes felt lucky because their work was not as hard as the work of field slaves (Wikipedia). The history of the long years in striving for opportunities and access to social services are seen to have played significant role in their self-determination. For example, they came to the country initially as slaves and with onset of the Civil War, their cause of emancipation has been evident as statesmen began lobbying for their cause, foremost to which is the freedom from servitude. As the United States started to consolidate itself into a nation, it has to accommodate the interests of minority groups, which included African Americans and incorporate them as stakeholders in its political and social process. As the years progressed African Americans have enjoyed significant roles and contributions in shaping American society in general. Their participation in the dynamics of American society is largely based on the liberal and democratic setting operating in the country.

However, there are still some instances wherein, African Americans still experience some degree of marginalization because they are still perceived as minorities in a predominantly white society (Latins, Allen, 2002). This was the backdrop of the novela time of slavery and abuse. In the novel, Garner or Paul D. is known as the last of the Sweet Home men. It is only at this point where we learn about Sethe past. Distinctive to the Garners were their compassionate away of treating their slaves. Seth remembers the day she flees from Sweet Home but is held captive by two white men who takes her milk which would have been for Beloved.

Sethe narrates her past to Paul D. She complains that she can no longer stay in that house. She complains that she is not liked by the people around her. Paul listens and this ends as Paul scares of the ghost. True to his Biblical character, Paul scares off the ghost. For Sethe, What she knew was that the responsibility for her breasts, at last, was in somebody else's hands". She unburdens her worries on Paul who, processes this naturally.

Paul lives up to his name as a man of God, identified with Jesus Christ. He changes from being an employee of the Roman government who sends people to prison under his name Saul, into a completely changed person Paul, preaching the claims of Christ, claiming, For me to live is Christ. This gives parallelism now to our story where Sethe is so full of resentment and despondency that she finds herself unable to live her life in that house. It is just too full of unpleasant memories that gang up on her. These are dark clouds hovering over her, giving her less and less hope to live.