Essay on Honor And Slavery - 2418 Words

Critical Essay Honor and Slavery Perhaps one of the strongest elements of slavery is honor. Honor has had a wide range of impact in history, whether it was shaping major dynasties and hierarchies, deciding an individuals’ role in society, or family ties and marriages. This sense of worth, high esteem, or virtue was also manipulated by slave masters in order to control their slaves. â€Å"The slave could have no honor because of the origin of his status, the indignity and all-pervasiveness of his indebtedness, his absence of any independent social existence, but most of all because he was without power except through another† (p 6). This element is not just a physical force, such as coercive power, which one can heal and†¦show more content†¦His masters may have forced him to labor hard and build walls but that never broke his integrity which enabled him to have the inner strength to escape. In another occasion, Thomas Phelps preserves his honor by showing how he never lost his integrity even in the midst of captivity. He remained true to his Christian morals and never absorbed the lowly attitude of submission as a slave. In one occasion, the Moors pulled the ship along the shore and fell asleep. At this time, all the captives were unshackled and remained in the ship. Phelps felt the urge to be the hero and make a break for it, naming it the â€Å"Christian resolution† (Phelps, p.46). However, there was one captive, Will Robinson, who was fearful and did not comply. This spoiled Phelps’ plan, and many others decided against it in fear of this one â€Å"recreant†. â€Å"The slave’s name was Will Robinson. He professed himself a Christian in words, but indeed we found more civility from the Moors than him† (Phelps, p.46). It is obvious to see that Phelps made a clear distinction between himself being a Christian, and the fearful Will Robinson who he didn’t hesitate to call a â€Å"slave†, thus retaining his honor and integr ity. This also shows that Phelps, being a slave, had a place in society. Patterson believed that slaves had no worth or position in society. Phelps voice is heard as an appeal to the Christian society, revealing his worth as a Christian. Once again he placesShow MoreRelated Slavery And Southern Honor Essay examples1658 Words   |  7 PagesParallels To southern men, honor was everything. I dictated their standing in society, whether or not they could own slaves; it basically was a secret caste system. A man held in the highest honor experienced a good life from a social stance in the south. The honor system used in the south was related to the language used by southern gentlemen.# Honor and Slavery by Kenneth S. 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