In many historical and modern accounts of slavery, sexual exploitation has been a common form of abuse suffered by slaves. This paper will examine how various authors have addressed this issue throughout history.
Sexual exploitation is a broad term that can encompass a wide range of behaviors, from forced prostitution to rape and sexual assault. In ancient societies, such as those depicted in the Bible, slaves were often used for their reproductive capabilities and were expected to produce children for their masters. This practice was particularly common among royalty and aristocrats who sought to maintain their bloodlines through intermarriage.
Another example of sexual exploitation in historical context comes from the works of William Shakespeare. In his play Othello, the titular character murders his wife Desdemona after believing she has cheated on him with his lieutenant Michael Cassio. The play is based on real events and highlights the power dynamics at work within slave societies where women are seen as objects of desire rather than individuals with agency.
More recently, Harriet Jacobs' autobiography Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl details her experiences as a fugitive slave living in hiding for seven years before escaping to freedom. She recounts being sexually harassed and abused by her master, Dr. Flint, and describes how this experience led her to view herself as an object of male desire.
Toni Morrison's Beloved also addresses the topic of sexual violence in the context of slavery. Sethe, the protagonist, was raped by her master while pregnant with her daughter Denver. As a result, Sethe becomes traumatized and struggles to connect with other people emotionally. The novel explores themes of love and loss in the face of oppression and shows how sexual abuse can have long-lasting psychological effects.
These authors demonstrate that sexual exploitation is a pervasive issue throughout history and continues to be a problem today. It is essential to acknowledge its existence and take steps to prevent it from happening again. Authors must continue to speak out against it and bring awareness to the issue to create change.
How do authors address sexual exploitation within historical and modern slavery contexts?
In his novel "Beloved", Toni Morrison uses both direct and indirect ways of addressing sexual exploitation within the historical and modern contexts of slavery. On one hand, she describes the brutal rape scene where Sethe's mother is violated by her slave master who enters their house in the middle of the night while she sleeps with her daughter.