Destin Mizelle
September, 7 2017
AFAM 4860
Death of Zombi Analysis
The idea of slavery is rooted deeply in the history of The United States of America, but it is not exclusive to the U.S. Not only were Africans wrongfully stolen from their homeland and transported to North America, they were transported and distributed across South America. Though South American slave stories and literature is rarely discussed in America, they still hold great importance. The Poem Death of Zombi, written by Frances E.W. Harper, tells a story of a strong leader in South America, who had to be a martyr for freedom. This story is a depiction of not only Latin American society, but a reflection of American society as well.
The author of the poem, Frances E.W. …show more content…
A cultural feminist embraces positive qualities presumed stronger in women such as nurturing, caring, and peacefulness. They focus on gender differences that value women and believe that they should be celebrated. This is made clear in the story when the author says “The cheek of the mother grew pallid with dread” (Harper, 5). She is depicting the emotions of the women in the oppressed community, not to stereotype women, but to show that there is in fact a difference in the roles of males and female. Women's nature of peace and caring is what keep society morally afloat. The author realizes that men that are blinded by the need to appear robust don’t care to have feelings and show emotion, which is why women are holding our society together. In another example, the authors says “The children she feared they would sever apart, The brows of our maidens grew gloomy and sad” (Harpers 8 & 9). In this excerpt, the author is exemplifying her qualities as a nurturer. Women in the story remember the importance of their children and consider this during the time of their oppression. Though the author seems to support gender roles and stereotypes, she is supporting the positive qualities in women, who are the humble leaders of …show more content…
Unfortunately as a leader, you are the forefront of your groups and their success depends on you. As a leader of a marginalized group, your life is always on line and could be taken away from you at any moment; in the poem Zombi, the leader murders for the good of the group. The poem explains, “so he climbed to the verge of a dangerous steep, Resolved from its margin to take a last leap, For a fearful death and a bloody grave” (Harper 29,30 & 31). The Bible verse John 10:11 states “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His own life for the sheep. Zombi is a parallel to the idea of a shepherd and his people is a parallel to the sheep in the Christian
September, 7 2017
AFAM 4860
Death of Zombi Analysis
The idea of slavery is rooted deeply in the history of The United States of America, but it is not exclusive to the U.S. Not only were Africans wrongfully stolen from their homeland and transported to North America, they were transported and distributed across South America. Though South American slave stories and literature is rarely discussed in America, they still hold great importance. The Poem Death of Zombi, written by Frances E.W. Harper, tells a story of a strong leader in South America, who had to be a martyr for freedom. This story is a depiction of not only Latin American society, but a reflection of American society as well.
The author of the poem, Frances E.W. …show more content…
A cultural feminist embraces positive qualities presumed stronger in women such as nurturing, caring, and peacefulness. They focus on gender differences that value women and believe that they should be celebrated. This is made clear in the story when the author says “The cheek of the mother grew pallid with dread” (Harper, 5). She is depicting the emotions of the women in the oppressed community, not to stereotype women, but to show that there is in fact a difference in the roles of males and female. Women's nature of peace and caring is what keep society morally afloat. The author realizes that men that are blinded by the need to appear robust don’t care to have feelings and show emotion, which is why women are holding our society together. In another example, the authors says “The children she feared they would sever apart, The brows of our maidens grew gloomy and sad” (Harpers 8 & 9). In this excerpt, the author is exemplifying her qualities as a nurturer. Women in the story remember the importance of their children and consider this during the time of their oppression. Though the author seems to support gender roles and stereotypes, she is supporting the positive qualities in women, who are the humble leaders of …show more content…
Unfortunately as a leader, you are the forefront of your groups and their success depends on you. As a leader of a marginalized group, your life is always on line and could be taken away from you at any moment; in the poem Zombi, the leader murders for the good of the group. The poem explains, “so he climbed to the verge of a dangerous steep, Resolved from its margin to take a last leap, For a fearful death and a bloody grave” (Harper 29,30 & 31). The Bible verse John 10:11 states “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His own life for the sheep. Zombi is a parallel to the idea of a shepherd and his people is a parallel to the sheep in the Christian