Essay Questions

Explain why the theme of slavery is extensive in The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill?

Lawrence Hill uses the main character Aminata Diallo to build theme of slavery in the novel. The novel commences by introducing the protagonist of the story and goes ahead to explain her journey of slavery. Aminata is abducted when she is 11 years and sold to America as a slave. While in America, she works for Appleby as slave until she becomes a teen. She reunites with Chekura and falls in love. Aminata becomes pregnant and sirs a baby boy called Mamadu. However, Appleby is not happy with this and he sells Mamadu as a slave. Aminata later is sold to another slave owner called Lindo. Later, Lindo sells Aminata to another slave owner called Charles. Aminata works as a slave throughout her life until she joins Clarkson to campaign against the evils of slavery. At her old age, Aminata becomes an activist against slavery.

Why is Appleby raping Aminata and selling her son after realizing that she is secretly meeting Chekura?

The reader finds it ironic that Appleby rapes Aminata as a punishment for seeing Chekura. However, Appleby rapes Aminata to show her that he is in control of everything including her body and everything that she thinks belongs to her. The rape is symbolic because it represents Appleby’s supremacy. When Aminata gets a baby with Chekura, Appleby sells him to another slave owner to show Aminata that she belongs to him.

Is it sarcastic that Freetown turns out to be the home of oppression for the freed slaves?

The British establishes Freetown to serve as a heaven for the freed slaves but it turns out to be a home of repression. After the slaves are sent to Freetown, they are not called slaves but they are treated as slaves. In Freetown, the freed slaves are not given land or any thing to sustain them as promised but they are forced to work for people to earn a living. Therefore, it is satirical that slaves are sent to Freetown to gain freedom but as a result they get oppressed and coerced to work for other people to earn a living.