Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Charles Johnson's 'Middle Passage'. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
5 pages in length. The writer offers a brief overview of the book, touching upon important points the story has to make, as well as discusses significant concepts important to the overall understanding of the account. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_Midlpass.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Recounting seaward journeys depicting the terrible treatment African slaves endured, Johnsons novel addresses considerably more than merely a story of slavery - it focuses upon the books narrator, Rutherford Calhoun,
and his own personal struggles as a man caught in between two worlds: that of a slave and an African-American sailor in a white mans world. Calhoun is filled with
conflict over the fact that he is somewhere in the middle of being a lowly slave and having a sense of dominance over the other slaves. The stereotypical perspectives
of whites and black slaves, which he, himself, cannot seem to separate, only escalate his turmoil. On the one hand, he wants to represent his own people, held tight
in the grips of oppression, but on the other he desires to break free of such a traditional and unhappy role. Indeed, Calhouns own internal fear concerning the fact
that he is still a saleable slave commodity is what antagonizes his outward conflict. He realizes that in order to maintain his own existence, he must avoid any connection
whatsoever with his enslaved brothers, while at the same time keep his distance from upsetting the white crewmembers. Even if he does this, there is still no guarantee that
he will not ultimately be sold for labor. Johnsons portrayal of Calhouns paralyzing fear is assessed over and over again throughout the novel, enabling the reader to gain a significant
understanding of the characters conflict. Without question, Calhoun represents myriad other African-Americans who were caught in the same trap: not wanting to fall back to a life of slavery
but not able to fully rise above the racial prejudice of the whites. It is easy to understand the frustrating issues of identity that develop from such a situation.
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