🛶Latin American Literature – Before 1900 Unit 11 – Slavery & Abolition: 19th-Century Americas

Historical Context

• Transatlantic slave trade forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas from the 16th to 19th centuries
• Slavery played a central role in the economic development of European colonies in the Americas, particularly in plantation agriculture (sugar, cotton, tobacco)
• Enslaved Africans faced brutal conditions, including forced labor, physical abuse, and the separation of families
• Resistance to slavery took various forms, including rebellions (Haitian Revolution), marronage (escaped slaves forming independent communities), and cultural resistance (preserving African traditions)
• Abolitionist movements gained momentum in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, influenced by Enlightenment ideas and religious beliefs
  • Quakers were early advocates for abolition in the United States and United Kingdom
  • British abolitionists like William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson campaigned for the end of the slave trade and slavery
• Gradual emancipation occurred in various Latin American countries following independence from Spain and Portugal (Mexico, Chile, Argentina)
• The United States abolished slavery with the 13th Amendment in 1865 after the Civil War

Key Literary Works

• "Sab" (1841) by Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda: Cuban novel that critiques slavery and racism through the story of an enslaved mulatto
• "O Mulato" (1881) by Aluísio Azevedo: Brazilian novel that depicts the social and racial tensions in 19th-century Brazil
• "Cecilia Valdés" (1882) by Cirilo Villaverde: Cuban novel that explores the complexities of race, class, and identity in colonial Cuba
• "Úrsula" (1859) by Maria Firmina dos Reis: Brazilian novel considered one of the first abolitionist works in Brazilian literature
• "El Matadero" (1871) by Esteban Echeverría: Argentine short story that uses the slaughterhouse as a metaphor for the brutality of the Rosas dictatorship and the oppression of marginalized groups
• "Negreiros" (1846) by Castro Alves: Brazilian poem that denounces the horrors of the slave trade and calls for abolition
• "Autobiografía de un esclavo" (1840) by Juan Francisco Manzano: Cuban slave narrative that provides a firsthand account of the cruelties of slavery

Themes and Motifs

• Dehumanization and the brutality of slavery: Works depict the physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon enslaved individuals
• Resistance and resilience: Characters demonstrate various forms of resistance against their oppressors, from overt rebellion to subtle acts of defiance
• Racial identity and miscegenation: Literature explores the complexities of racial identity in societies shaped by slavery and colonialism, often featuring mixed-race characters
• Social and economic inequality: Works critique the stark disparities between the wealthy white elite and the enslaved and marginalized populations
• The corrupting influence of power: Slave owners and those in positions of authority are often portrayed as morally corrupt and abusive
• The search for freedom and autonomy: Characters strive for liberation from the bonds of slavery and the constraints of colonial society
• The impact of slavery on family structures: The separation of families and the denial of familial bonds are recurring motifs

Notable Authors and Activists

• Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (Cuba, 1814-1873): Novelist, poet, and playwright known for her abolitionist and feminist works, including "Sab"
• Cirilo Villaverde (Cuba, 1812-1894): Novelist and journalist best known for his anti-slavery novel "Cecilia Valdés"
• Castro Alves (Brazil, 1847-1871): Poet known as the "Poet of the Slaves" for his abolitionist works, including "Negreiros" and "O Navio Negreiro"
• Maria Firmina dos Reis (Brazil, 1822-1917): Novelist, poet, and educator considered Brazil's first female novelist and an important abolitionist voice
• Juan Francisco Manzano (Cuba, 1797-1854): Enslaved poet and autobiographer whose work "Autobiografía de un esclavo" is a rare firsthand account of Cuban slavery
• Luiz Gama (Brazil, 1830-1882): Journalist, lawyer, and abolitionist who used his platform to advocate for the rights of enslaved and freed Afro-Brazilians
• José Martí (Cuba, 1853-1895): Poet, essayist, and revolutionary who advocated for Cuban independence and the abolition of slavery

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Realism: Many works aim to provide a realistic portrayal of the conditions of slavery and colonial society
  • Detailed descriptions of settings, characters, and social dynamics
  • Incorporation of historical events and figures
• Romanticism: Some authors employ romantic elements to evoke emotion and symbolism
  • Idealized characters and relationships
  • Use of nature as a metaphor for freedom and escape
• Irony and satire: Writers use irony and satire to critique the hypocrisies and moral contradictions of slave-owning societies
• Testimonial narrative: Slave narratives, such as Manzano's autobiography, provide firsthand accounts of the experiences of enslaved individuals
• Intertextuality: Authors often reference and engage with other literary works and historical texts to situate their narratives within a broader context
• Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent abstract ideas, such as freedom, oppression, and identity
  • The recurring image of the sea as a symbol of both liberation and the horrors of the Middle Passage
• Vernacular language: The incorporation of Afro-Latin American dialects and linguistic patterns to authentically represent the voices of enslaved and marginalized characters

Social and Political Impact

• Abolitionist literature played a significant role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for the anti-slavery movement
• Works exposed the cruelties of slavery and challenged the prevailing racial ideologies that justified the institution
• Literature provided a platform for marginalized voices and experiences, humanizing enslaved individuals and asserting their dignity
• Anti-slavery narratives contributed to the development of national identities in newly independent Latin American countries, as they grappled with the legacies of colonialism and slavery
• The circulation of abolitionist literature facilitated transnational connections and solidarity among anti-slavery movements in the Americas and Europe
• Literary works sparked debates about citizenship, human rights, and the role of race in emerging Latin American societies
• The cultural impact of anti-slavery literature can be seen in the enduring influence of Afro-Latin American traditions, such as music, dance, and religious practices

Comparative Analysis

• Similarities between Latin American and United States slave narratives:
  • Firsthand accounts of the brutality of slavery
  • Emphasis on the humanity and resilience of enslaved individuals
  • Appeals to religious and moral arguments against slavery
• Differences in the context of abolition:
  • Gradual emancipation in many Latin American countries following independence vs. the Civil War and 13th Amendment in the United States
  • The influence of Catholic church and Enlightenment ideas in Latin American abolitionism
• Comparative analysis of representations of race and identity:
  • The "one-drop rule" in the United States vs. more complex racial hierarchies in Latin America
  • The figure of the "tragic mulatto" in both Latin American and U.S. literature
• Transnational connections and influences:
  • The impact of the Haitian Revolution on abolitionist movements throughout the Americas
  • The circulation of abolitionist literature and ideas across borders
  • Collaborations between Latin American and U.S. abolitionists

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Anti-slavery literature laid the foundation for the development of Afro-Latin American literary traditions in the 20th and 21st centuries
  • Négritude movement in the French Caribbean
  • Afro-Brazilian literature and the Quilombhoje collective
  • Afro-Cuban poetry and the work of Nicolás Guillén
• The ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Persistent racial inequalities and discrimination faced by Afro-descendant populations
  • Movements for affirmative action, land rights, and cultural recognition
• The legacy of slavery in shaping Latin American societies and identities
  • The impact of the transatlantic slave trade on demographics, culture, and economics
  • Debates about national identity, mestizaje, and the erasure of Afro-Latin American histories
• The role of literature in remembering and reckoning with the history of slavery
  • Contemporary works that engage with the themes and legacies of slavery (Junot Díaz, Edwidge Danticat, Conceição Evaristo)
  • The importance of preserving and studying 19th-century abolitionist literature as a means of understanding the past and informing the present
• The global significance of Latin American abolitionist literature
  • Contributions to the broader history of human rights and social justice movements
  • Insights into the intersections of race, colonialism, and resistance in the Americas