History cannot be defined by the story of an individual; however, one person’s story can attempt to influence history, often through print. Via publishing their own narratives, Bibb and Otter both expressed their sentiment for broad influence, to varying success. Bibb leverages legal and religious debates to appeal to rational Northerners and poor whites, while Otter markets his wilder and more violent lifestyle towards his jolly fellow brethren and those fascinated or disgusted by his multitudes of amoral sprees through a series of short stories. Throughout his entire narrative, Bibb repeatedly references “All-wise Creator” [17], and “common law” [24], nods to God and legality, to decry and expose the hypocrisy of slavery, addressing both
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For example, in the monkey torturing scene, Otter conferred with his posse to chain the monkey to a hot stovepipe then unleashing the monkey to the mirth of the group and pain to the inn-keeper couple. Clearly, his group, totaling 25 strong, derived great pleasure over such a spree; however, it is also equally obvious that many would be disgusted by such unscrupulous actions. A similar immoral case involved him removing Jim’s ladder and proceeding to “almost kill myself [Otter] laughing at him [Jim]” [201] as he “came sock on the ground…” [201] and then “crawling on his hands and knees” [201], exhibiting a clear dichotomy in amusement versus repugnance of such acts, while the reader remains rapt by some sense of awe. In addition to these shocking sprees, the main selling point of Otter’s narrative is his habitual bar fights, most notably the one involving the “Clay man” [349]. This reoccurring is the epitome of jolly fellow culture, where after a fight, everyone simply makes up – “I butted one man down, that I felt offish, and invited him up to the bar to take a drink, and make good friends” [349]. Simply reading as the scene unfolds would entice any jolly fellow to vicariously engage in the fun and games, whereas other readers would be appalled by the lack of civility. As these short events occur in rapid succession, Otter effectively provides continual stimulation, invoking an emotional
For example, in the monkey torturing scene, Otter conferred with his posse to chain the monkey to a hot stovepipe then unleashing the monkey to the mirth of the group and pain to the inn-keeper couple. Clearly, his group, totaling 25 strong, derived great pleasure over such a spree; however, it is also equally obvious that many would be disgusted by such unscrupulous actions. A similar immoral case involved him removing Jim’s ladder and proceeding to “almost kill myself [Otter] laughing at him [Jim]” [201] as he “came sock on the ground…” [201] and then “crawling on his hands and knees” [201], exhibiting a clear dichotomy in amusement versus repugnance of such acts, while the reader remains rapt by some sense of awe. In addition to these shocking sprees, the main selling point of Otter’s narrative is his habitual bar fights, most notably the one involving the “Clay man” [349]. This reoccurring is the epitome of jolly fellow culture, where after a fight, everyone simply makes up – “I butted one man down, that I felt offish, and invited him up to the bar to take a drink, and make good friends” [349]. Simply reading as the scene unfolds would entice any jolly fellow to vicariously engage in the fun and games, whereas other readers would be appalled by the lack of civility. As these short events occur in rapid succession, Otter effectively provides continual stimulation, invoking an emotional