My Life in the South by Jacob Stroyer
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I'm looking for your input/thoughts/opinions on these questions. I have answered them to the best of my abilities and would like to incorporate your answers with mine and use you as a resource. Thank You.
1. What did Stroyer not know about his family tree? How do you think that made him feel?
2. Develop (not merely list) three interpretations for why James Hay did only half his task.
3. What commentaries can you read between the lines of the story of Mr. Usom and Jack?
4. How did Stroyer's parents advise him to deal with the whippings he received, and why did they give that advice? How do you think Stroyer felt about that advice?
5. Identify the passage in which the slaves figuratively wear a "mask" to hide their true thoughts. What was the purpose of this strategy?
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Solution Summary
The solution is a 987-word narrative that provides direct answers based on the book, the African-American slavery experience memoir "My Life in the South" by Jacob Stroyer. Each question listed in the original problem (see long description, 5 questions altogether) is discussed and provided an answer according to what was implied or written in the book. References are listed. A word version of the solution is attached for easy download and printing.
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Reflections on Jacob Stroyer's "My Life in the South"
On His Family Tree
When we talk about family tree, we refer to the origins and ancestors of our family - the mothers and fathers of our parents, their brothers and sisters, their grandparents, great-grandparents and so on. Tracing ancestors and familial relations creates a 'fanning-out' of biological and familial relationships from us to ancestors we can, and our own parents can recall and remember. Via the family tree we see who we are related to and appreciate our origins, the lives of those that came before us, helping us find our place under the sun, confirming our identity. What Stroyer knew about his own father's origin are the memories of his father as a boy - the name of his father's mother and father (the native names Moncoso & Mangomo) and his country of origin - Sierra Leone. It is to be understood that aside from this, his father has not said or recalled anything else for his father was traded as a slave when he was a boy. Of his own origins then, Stroyer finds a rather 'empty' tree confirming his identity as one borne into slavery from a slave father with limited memories of his own homeland. I should imagine that while this is a reality a lot of slaves just accepted, it still felt oppressive and depressing.
On James ...
Education
- MPhil/PhD (IP), Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- MA, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- Certificate, Geva Ulpan (via Universita Tel Aviv)
- BA, University of the Philippines
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