As I read the two excerpts by Harriet Jacobs, I noticed a commonality of Fredrick Douglass’s slave narrative from the perspective of a female slave. Both are runaways, who happened to suffer to different capacities, traumatic experiences nonetheless. Harriet Jacobs, just like Douglass is faced with paranoia, not knowing who to trust or who to confide to. She also has a level consciousness of her surroundings and that women in the north had certain privileges which she could only imagine of when she was in the south. Eager to depict the horrors more so than relay a sob story, she consistently requests her reader to not assume she is comparing her life to others, or saying she is suffering more than others. She also apologizes for acts such as having relations with the white men in hope for a better life for her children. But it’s clear that she didn’t do it out of ignorance, rather with the assumption that due to his sympathy for slavery, it might potentially ease the strife she faces on a daily basis. In terms of reinforcing the idea of slavery, she talks on behalf of all the other slave girls who are raised in both a misogynistic and segregated region. The girls are perceived as maids and child bearers, to be hated by the wives of the husbands. They had no means of protecting their innocence or preserving the choice to lay with the man of their dreams. Worst of all, when they gave birth, the child was taken away after a certain time frame, so they aren’t given much time to form a bond with their kin, just like Fredrick lacked with his mother.

Part 2:

Though slavery of the black race has been abolished and made illegal. Other means still exist. Girls, barely around the age of  adolescence before even beginning their menstrual cycle are being married to men their father’s age for various reasons. Despite, the justifications that can be used to mitigate the outrage, it’s still an unethical traditional practice that occurs in many third world countries and tribes. There’s also child labor, which is taking children at a young age to do work in hazardous conditions to lower costs of paying a well able-to-do man. This occurs in many countries that are involved in outsourcing. Interestingly enough, sex trafficking is still prevalent today, but what’s more shocking is the fact that it isn’t limited to just women and girls as many presume, it also includes, boys, men and children alike. It’s typically done by the culprit luring the victim to enter a vehicle, an individual walking alone in an alley and being taken away, in some countries, parents selling off their daughter’s in exchange for money. All of which occur on a daily basis with little to no repercussion. Similar to how species evolve and adapt to their environments, slavery is evolved into various segments as above mentioned for profit.

“It is better that a dozen slaves suffer under the lash, than that the overseer should be convicted, in the presence of the slaves, of having been at fault.” ( 245). This tenet held by the slaveholders is so uncontested and cruel that it leads the slaves to view themselves as innately wrong and flawed. This perception is that the dignity of a slaveholder would be tarnished if they happened to be reprimanded for a wrong doing, and if they are to exhibit authority, then they must lack faults. Consequently, it led the slaves to think low of themselves, inhibit them from questioning wrong acts, being submissive and subservient to any crimes committed against them. It also alluded to the ideological concept of slaveholder’s being the master’s of judgement, in a sense that they ideally could express through their power what is just and unjust. In their case, nothing was unjust, beside looking  like a fool in front of a slave. On the contrary, the author narrates what he saw and  felt, which could attest to his critical analytical ability to think and understand that in fact, he and the rest were being mistreated. Fredrick Douglass is what could be considered an anomaly. Being able to runaway and flee and write an autobiography detailing the sadness and gore of slavery that many at times overlook or take for granted. The diction that invariably lies from the quotation stated above is a sense of hierarchy and condescension. It takes away the unalienable rights of the slave and places him/her at the bottom of the chain both figuratively and literally. The questions it raises is what about the overseer gives them that line of authority?Why should the slave feel like his voice doesn’t matter, and more so must the slave be held liable for acts of cruelty against him even when his conduct shows no sign of rebellion?

In the picture below, the individual’s mind is controlled by two other beings, giving  the observer, in this case us,  an impression that he/she is happy.  The image depicts how the character isn’t able to express their feelings based on their own emotions. Similarly, in the poem, “The Chimney Sweeper,” the narrator is under duress of his parents who make him feel obligated to display happiness. They are portrayed as religious oriented people, who have much respect for God. He on the other hand has contrary views, expressing, “……God& his Priest & King, Who make up a heaven of our misery.”

Likewise, in the photo, there is no telling how that individual’s well being is being overlooked. It’s a facade being held as a result of potential dependency and vulnerability.In the photo, the one being controlled is unclear as well as those controlling him. In the poem however, there is less ambiguity.  His mother and father assume the well being of their child and therefore disregard his resentment against his job description. So not only does he feel controlled, there’s also a feeling of being misunderstood, which is crucial in his/her case.”And because I am happy, &dance &sing, They think they have done no injury.” However, as you can  see as one of the parents is raking parts of his brain, he’s causing internal damage that can’t be seen by the bear eye, but only felt within. Hence, his pain causing him to sing, “the notes of woe.” Which then leaves a reader curios to know whether or not his parents are invoking thoughts that are best in their interests or their offspring’s?

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Oedipus the king is an emblem of monarchy. Eager to display his strength, fairness and  “humility”, but fails to acknowledge his fatal flaw, his “truth.” Much of his life was a lie, and it was deliberated that way to save him from his biggest enemy, “himself.” Instead of giving his attention to more important matters, he falls into intense curiosity to find out about his origin and his background. The Gods, being aware of his destiny, urge the messengers to be a bit restrictive to the information they relay to him. Oedipus, on the other hand can’t settle for just runaround answers and threatens to exile and execute for their lack of subordination. At this point, I realized, Oedipus, just like many other kings are overly power driven that their advisers or counsel can’t really “console” or “advise” them, because they feel as though they know it all.

Seeing the play into life truly opened my eyes. It left me with a series of questions, such as; why did he kill his father? It was clear that his father and his entourage almost ran him over and he decided to kill everyone in the carriage, but why was murder his first course of action? Why did his mother lie in bed with him and continue to be his wife throughout much of the play despite the fact that she knew he was the culprit for the murder of her husband?That in itself, is cruel enough, adding on to the fact she tended to him in her womb for 9 months. Was incestuous relationships common during that era?Also, was his mother justified for killing herself, considering she literally put herself into her own predicament. All the decisions she made was against both her and her son’s interest, so why feel pitiful for yourself at the end when the inevitable truth comes out? Most ironical, in the beginning of the play, they spoke about how Oedipus would be blinded by darkness and mental delusion that would forever haunt his life, and it actually happened as said. I thought, it was simply a metaphor insinuating he’d be devastated and not be able to forgive himself.

But the biggest question of all that lies unanswered as many critique’s would pick different sides is, who do we as the audience feel sorry for?Oedipus the King, who wouldn’t keep quiet and follow the course of his rule, or the mother who wrongfully took advantage of her son, rather than leave the throne or lie in the shadows?

Generally speaking, we often at times look for an easy alternative. Or find ourselves mystified by an individual’s persona or attitude. In the short story “Bewitched,” the protagonist, Toyo-o, is left in a naive state trying to build a sense of autonomy.  However, as he becomes attracted to this alleged female character, Manago, he is blinded by her outer appeal that he fails to realize what she really embodies. This leads him to take her in wedlock within his second encounter with her. “Confucius said ‘Even a mountain of love crumbles.’ And as for myself, how can I help but overlook my obligations to filial piety and sacrifice myself for your sake?” Literally,  this plot line has no plausibility in a sense where he extends one act of kindness and all of a sudden their both in deep love with each other. It correlates in the photo because even after she got arrested for all her thievery, he still saw the innocence that she originally displayed and “Toyo-o……….. became less and less intransigent and more attached to her than ever, and finally he pledged her eternal love.” Despite all that he went through, the facade  that she gave off proved to overcompensate, her ulterior motives in pursuing him.

As one looks into the  depths of the relationship between Tartuffe and Orgon, it becomes apparent that one of the characters is wealthy and gullible, while the other appears to be conniving and manipulative. Orgon, a wealthy figure, is extremely vulnerable. He notices one act of modesty from a peasant, by the name of Tartuffe and is immediately left in awe.He is extremely convinced of how holy this man is, that he believed heaven spoke to him and said, “Just bring him home with you.” Ironically, he breaks a vow to wed his daughter to this old, impoverished man. This sudden change in thought in itself proves to be an unholy act. Considering vows and promises are to be  kept and acted upon. Another instance that shows how Tartuffe’s influence has changed Orgon for the worst is when he returns home and is told about the health of his wife. His first question is how Tartuffe is feeling. And when told about Tartuffe’s well condition, he responds, “Poor Man.” Almost as to express his infatuation for Tartuffe overcompensates his duty and obligation to his wife. The first two scenes do not accentuate Tartuffe’s impression of Orgon, but it could be implied that he’s smirking and rejoicing of how easy it was to bewitch a man who fails to use fair judgement and reason.It’s such a pity for Orgon to take this man’s fallen state and say, “What my special tasks has come to be: To end the embarrassment he feels and the sorrow he so nobly conceals.” However, what he fails to acknowledge is Tartuffe’s alternative reasons. Those of which are unclear to the reader as of yet, but align along the lines of upward social mobility. Overall, the relationship between the two can be depicted as parasitism, in which Tartuffe is feeding off of all that lies dear to Orgon and what riches he has amassed or been blessed with.

Hello Everyone!

My name is Abdul-Razak Z. Abubakar Jr. , however I prefer to be called Zakari for personal reasons. My father is Ghanaian and my mother is from North and South Carolina. Hence, why I identify myself as an embodiment of a true African-American. I currently reside in Cambria Heights, which is located in the furthermost region of queens, borderline Long Island.To add more salt to the wound, my commute on average is roughly 2 hours one-way, however I make much use of that time by reading novels,studying and completing assignments.

I’m currently enrolled in Baruch college as a sophomore with an intended major of accounting and an intended minor in Law & Policy. I’m fairly active on campus, working in several departments in Baruch as a college assistant while having the pleasure to engage in Baruch’s college culture through active involvement in student life.In addition, I work part-time at JFK Airport for a currency exchange franchise as a sales consultant.

A little fun fact about myself that people can’t identify from taking a first glance at me is that I’m actually a published author. I published my first poetry book entitled, “The Creative Mind” on Valentine’s Day last year.  It encompasses different experiences,lessons and insightful knowledge that I felt the need to share with the world! Currently, I’m working on my second poetry book entitled, “Romanticism through the perception of an hourglass”.

My reading preference lies more in tune with Greek mythology, nature, romance,tragedy and comical genres. My favorite author is, Rick Riordan, writer of the Percy Jackson Series. After reading the novel, “Percy Jackson and the Last Olympians,”  I ran out to the nearest book store and purchased the entire series. Ever since, I’ve been looking to get a better understanding of the different Greek Gods and legends. I find the mythological characters very fascinating.

In terms of what I’m looking to accomplish or learn from this course, I’d say becoming a more centralized writer. I’ve always struggled with writing in my previous years, from having too many mechanical errors to over elaborating on a succinct topic. On that note, I look forward to becoming well-acquainted with all of you and I’m very excited for the new academic year. Let’s go Bearcats!

Kind Regards,

Zakari Abubakar