When people migrate from their homeland or where they have live for most of their lives, they must make a decision. They either assimilate to the new place where they live or stay true to themselves by maintaining their heritage which forms their identity. Aminata Diallo, the central character of the novel, The Book of Negroes written by Lawrence Hill, has to make that decision. Aminata sits down to pen the story of her long life by writing down her journey from when she is abducted, enslaved, and finally when she decides to upon her hard life and put an end to slavery. Through Aminata’s journey she faces difficult hardships but maintains her identity by staying true to herself, which is an effective and powerful form of resistance. Aminata’s
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Georgia assists Aminata into forming a stronger sense of identity and uses it to endure and survive the owner of the plantation, Robinson Appleby. With the help of Georgia, Aminata learns to speak English and the cultures of enslaved people in the Western world (183). However Aminata also faces a bigger challenge than being abducted. The challenge she faces is Robinson Appleby. Robinson Appleby is an abusive and cruel man who uses his authority in the worst forms possible and Aminata is the sole target of his wrath. For instance, Appleby puts Aminata through the worst type of punishment, by stripping her of her clothes and shaving her hair and dignity her humiliates her in front of everyone living or working in the plantation (249-254). Normally this psychological punishment is capable of destroying almost anyone. However Aminata reassures herself during her punishment by stating “I made a decision then. He would do whatever he wanted anyway. I was from Bayo and I had a child growing inside me and I would stand proud” (251). This display of resistance demonstrates that one Aminata will succumb to Appleby’s wrath that instead she will endure whatever he throws in her path. Also in the quote Aminata indicates the place of her birth which shows that she still carries on the heritage that forms her identity as well. Overall Aminata comes to meet her biggest hardship of all but still does not succumb to it. She continues to maintain her identity and uses it to resist Robinson
Georgia assists Aminata into forming a stronger sense of identity and uses it to endure and survive the owner of the plantation, Robinson Appleby. With the help of Georgia, Aminata learns to speak English and the cultures of enslaved people in the Western world (183). However Aminata also faces a bigger challenge than being abducted. The challenge she faces is Robinson Appleby. Robinson Appleby is an abusive and cruel man who uses his authority in the worst forms possible and Aminata is the sole target of his wrath. For instance, Appleby puts Aminata through the worst type of punishment, by stripping her of her clothes and shaving her hair and dignity her humiliates her in front of everyone living or working in the plantation (249-254). Normally this psychological punishment is capable of destroying almost anyone. However Aminata reassures herself during her punishment by stating “I made a decision then. He would do whatever he wanted anyway. I was from Bayo and I had a child growing inside me and I would stand proud” (251). This display of resistance demonstrates that one Aminata will succumb to Appleby’s wrath that instead she will endure whatever he throws in her path. Also in the quote Aminata indicates the place of her birth which shows that she still carries on the heritage that forms her identity as well. Overall Aminata comes to meet her biggest hardship of all but still does not succumb to it. She continues to maintain her identity and uses it to resist Robinson