Power Structures In The Book Of Negroes By Lawrence Hill

The Book of Negroes is a novel written by Lawrence Hill as it follows the life of Aminata Diallo through her life as a slave. What makes Aminata so special is her abilities in reading and writing that allow her to excel where many other characters do not. This book is a depiction of the ways of which African people were treated in a time period were slavery was most prominent. Women, for example were treated much worse than the males, as they were raped and even forced to give away their own children. One universal truth that is apparent through the book is that education is one of the ways for someone to escape oppression and it can be seen through setting/power structures and characters. In terms of the power structure and setting, men were …show more content…
It can first be seen both in Aminata’s village in Africa, as well as in North America, where she was sent as a slave. Back in her village in Africa, her father had told her that, “They are the strongest of all (the elderly), for they have lived the longest of all of us, and they have wisdom (30).” Though back in her village, most people remained uneducated in terms of reading and writing, but were rather valued for the wisdom they possessed in terms of life and how the world worked. Which was why the elderly were respected the most. Back in North America, this hierarchy of the most educated being at the top can be seen through a variety of characters such as Solomon Lindo and Aminata. Solomon Lindo wasn’t an ordinary indigo plantation owner, he was rather an inspector whose skills were well renowned. When Appleby was introducing Lindo he even said, “He’s the new indigo inspector for the entire province of South Carolina (237).” His skills and knowledge of indigo allowed him to work a job higher up than a normal indigo farmer. The same power structure is also prevalent within Canvas Town. Just like how Aminata’s village in Africa had a chief, she in a way, became the chief of Canvas Town. She was recognized within Canvas Town as the teacher, and whenever news came and round and meeting were needed to be held, it was always at her home. For example on page 392 it says, “Each time there were rumours of change, the people of canvas town assembled around my shack…” They came because they all respected her education and her ability to read and write. Though other people could also read and write, they still came to her, because she was also well versed in healing and delivering babies. Her importance in the community had earned her the rank of the so called chief of Canvas Town. Lawrence Hill used power structures as a tool to