Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Aminata: Best Choice?
Throughout Lawrence Hill’s novel, The Book of Negroes, it is apparent that there is a theme of struggle and survival. This journey of endurance is travelled by Aminata Daillo, the main character in the book. Aminata’s struggles for survival begin when she is taken away from her homeland by the Toubab and end with her in London working with aboltionalists. There are many events in her life that eventually lead her to live a better life than most of the Negroe’s living in Western countries. My question to you is, was Aminata the best candidate as the main character of The Book of Negroes? Aminata is, in a sense, more privileged then the average Negro so is it really fair that the struggle of Negroes is depicted through her life?
Aminta went through struggle throughout her life but she was always privileged then the normal Negro due to many people that helped her out and also because the knowledge she has. I don't think she was the best candidate because she really didn't go through the pain the other Negro went through. But I could never go through the pain she went through I respect her for that.
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ReplyDeleteI thinks Aminata's character was not the best choice for the the depiction of an average Negroes life simply because she was not average. Ironically even though Aminata was a captivated African she was still blessed with many opportunities other Negroes weren't. The fact that Aminata was literate completely set her living standards higher than the average Negro and her literacy was the main reason that she even had most of her opportunities she did.No doubt Aminata lived a life filled with hardships but it is still obvious that other Negroes lived lives with more beatings and less opportunities. It is for these reasons that I don't think Aminata was the best candidate for the role of the average negro life.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the fact that Aminata was not the best choice. Of course she was the best choice. Those privelages that Aminata got were ones that she earned. They didn't just come crawling to her, she actually set out and found them. Like everyone she had a passion, and hers was to be able to read and to become a storyteller. Because she had that passion she set out and tried to make sure she had it.
ReplyDeleteShe is an inspiration not only to other negroes but to us and those that are still struggling today. She inspires us all whenever we are struggling, to find opportunites to become a powerful person with great strengths and to use those strengths.
I believe Aminanta was a great candidate as the main character in The Book of Negroes. Her advantages and capability to survive existed because of the determination and diligence she conveyed. She was able to take her skills and apply them to important situations throughout her journey. In comparison to other Negroes, she definitely had an upper hand and may have suffered less, but this made the story more interesting being told from her perspective. Although she may have not suffered the most out of all other Negroes, she had been through enough struggle to emphasize her growth and accomplishments in the novel. She had greater opportunities in her experience that in turn, lead to an amazing story to tell regardless of her priveleges.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Aminata's character was the proper choice for the Book of Negroes. Although many people argue that Aminata's character is more privileged than the average Negroe during slavery, she starts her journey as a normal negroe. She is more privileged than the average slave because of the opportunties she creates for herself. Every place that Aminata arrives at she is able to learn something that helps with her survival. Aminata is not more privileged than the average slave, she just has a stronger will to survive
ReplyDeleteDon’t get me wrong, I do not disagree with the fact that Aminata earned her privileges through handwork and determination. However, what you all fail to see is the obvious fact that all Negroes living in the West during the times of slavery where hardworking and determined. Is it fair that just because they never had the same opportunities as Aminata that their lives should be addressed through her story? Aminata was not your average Negro and for that reason it was a misguided choice for Hill to symbolize an average Negro through Aminata.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zak. Aminata may have become more privileged than other negroes during her journey, but she still has come through many other struggles in the past. Even though she ends up gaining benifits along the way, she also faces many tragedies that put her in a difficult position. Aminata has lost her husband, her children, and her parents; she has virtually lost her whole family. However, she continues on her rigororous course, and this shows her true value as a Negro who has lost many people, but also earned great respect.
ReplyDelete@Ayan: Lawrence Hill was actually able to depict the roles of all Negroes throughout the novel. He doesn't let Aminata's character stay in one place for a reason. She goes from Bayo, to the boat, to Appleby's farm, to Solomon Lindo's house, to New York, to the Fraunces Tavern, to Canvas town, and to Nova Scotia. In all of these places she play different roles like a farmer, a teacher, and a maid. Also Aminata meets a lot of people that have diverse roles in their communities.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone who has said that Aminata was the best choice for this novel; Aminata was the best choice because she has the will to survive and learn. I do not think that any other character would have been better suited for this role. We all enjoyed this book because it was portrayed by Aminata who is a strong woman. I think Lawrence Hill chose Aminata because she was a woman and was determined to achieve her goal. A man would not have suited this novel because he would not have understood losing children like Aminata had. Imagine Aminata’s pain when she lost her son and daughter, Lawrence Hill could only have portrayed that pain through a woman not a man. You cannot say that Aminata is more privileged than the other Negroes, even when she was little she had asked her father to teach. He did not ask her, so she created the opportunities for herself. Also she was the better choice because she can portray every other character’s story. Where ever she goes you see her teaching and helping others, and she also tells their story. So she was the best choice.
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ReplyDelete@Kamal: I agree Aminata did a fair deal of travelling, but again that only proves my point. Could the average Negro traveled that much or worked those many occupations? The main character should represent what many, or at least half of what Negro’s during that time experienced. Aminata travelled to many places, learned many things, spoke many languages and had many jobs; Aminata was NOT average! Therefore I disagree with the choice using her to represent the journey of an average Negro.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to say that if Aminata just did one thing and stayed in one place that we would get a taste of only one situation a negro faced. But because she did move around we got a taste of all sorts of Negroes. Aminata was not average because Lawrence Hill wanted to show Negroes in different situations through her.
ReplyDeleteThat is actually a really good explanation as to why Lawrance Hill would probably make her the main character. It makes sense that she represents the different lives of Negro’s through her own eventful life.
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