Blog Post #2

An Archetypal Perspective on The Book of Negroes

Many of the characters in this work follow archetypes as you would expect. However, not all characters fit the mould, some of the characters are almost anti-archetypal. The slave traders in this novel are a fantastic example of the archetypal slave trader that readers would assume. The traders are extremely cruel, quick tempered and physically abusive. Additionally, the slave owners also seem to be pure evil, creating conflict for the protagonist and the other slaves, again following the archetypal idea of a slave owner quite closely. Even most of the slaves seem to follow our preconceived ideas about how a slave should exist. The slaves are largely submissive and fearful, but seem to have that glimmering hope--when they are allowed to interact with one another—that we always see in groups of slaves in novels and movies. You know the hope, where they all sing some cheery sounding song, or reassure one another that they may find their lost loved ones. Also, our idea of slaves would usually suggest that they are uneducated but somehow wise, and we see this deep wisdom in some of the minor characters. Aminata, the protagonist does not quite fit the archetype of a slave however, she is educated (at least for a black, female slave) and knows not only how to catch babies as her mother had taught her, but she also knows how to read. Additionally, although she was somewhat submissive, when reading her first person account the reader gets to view her psyche, and Aminata would certainly not a submissive girl had she been born at a different place or time. I think she will end up turning into an extremely strong minded character that will stand up for herself and others. I also think that she might lack the hope that some of the other slaves have, she seems to know deep in her heart when she is in a dire state and I believe with this true self-awareness she probably knows that the outcome of her life may be extremely unpleasant. Overall, I think that the minor characters following archetypes closely allows for a backdrop in which Aminata can shine as a very three dimensional character who is not simply “the black slave woman.”