Derek Walcott - Ruins of A Great House - A Close Reading by Tajae Pryce

This poem, as its title suggests, most likely was sparked by the observance of a specific house that Wilcott knew of but what is represents is much more comprehensive of the colonial period and its effects. the poem opens up with images of a disjecta membra, which describes scattered parts or  disjointed quotations. To me these fragmentations speak for the disintegration and dissolution of native peoples regarded not only where and how they lived but also their culture itself. Walcott tells of an open mouth lizard with “dragonish claws” taking over the now unrecognizable area. He goes on to describe familiar elements of a Caribbean island, eucalyptus boughs, the smell of dead limes, but they are now juxtaposed with an eerie silence and solitude that was foreign to the scents and sights. His criticism of colonial conquest and destruction is even more present later on in the reading as he writes about “ancestral murderers and poets, more perplexed in memory by every ulcerous crime.” and the world’s “green age”. My understanding of these inclusions is the description of injustices going on by imperialists eventually becoming the norm for both sides; perpetrators and victims.

Race, Slavery, and Reasons why the South Believed Succession was a Necessity - Tajae Pryce

“Southern white men did not fight for slavery; they fought for a new nation built on slavery.” This statement by historian Edward Ayers, represents the complexity of contemporary analysis of the causes of the Civil War. On one hand, there are those who express that the cause of the war was simply for the preservation of the slave institution; however, history calls for meticulous responses to questions of such importance that expand further than single causes and universal and all-encompassing agendas. Factors such as heightened tensions over the North and South’s perhaps clashing outlook of the future of economic prosperity, the debate of what defined ‘modernity’ at this time, as well as the rhetoric-heavy and dynamic conversation over state’s rights and popular sovereignty are necessary to evaluate and study in order to paint the picture of a young nation, fresh off the heels of a grand independence movement, that was about to enthrall in actions that would lead to disbandment and successions from the United States over conflicts that affected the lives of the population involved as well as constitutional interpretations that now needed to be revised or imposed altogether. Analysts must understand and take note of all of the factors that the ‘conflict over slavery’ entailed and how socioeconomic, cultural and religious experiences lead to eventual succession and militant combat. Studying the events leading up to the Civil War as well as during the conflict reveals the nation’s struggle over change and new ideas and the reluctance and imposition of such.

The discussion of modernity during the era leading up to the Civil War is one that not only serves as a factorial cause of conflict, but sets cultural attitudes people had with respect to how they saw themselves and their fellow citizens in other regions of the country. The rapid development of industries brought forth during the push for industrialization led to the hyper development, in some areas in the North, of urban environments new markets and wealth-attaining opportunities. The changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution in the North led many of its citizens and analysts to describe the area of the nation that may not have been as plantation-heavy as others as an area of modernity and progression. During this time, new ideas and the entertainment and expression of new liberalistic ideas in regards to self-determination and basic human rights challenged the Southern environment of slave labor feeding into the ever standing focus on agricultural and textile production as archaic and regressive. The social atmosphere at this period was already showing how cultural ideas and norms could cause divisive tension amongst people of the same nation with conflicting views on not only how the world worked but also how the world was supposed to work. There is little a historian can do in regards to determining what region was the more modern as the study of world history proves that industrialization cannot be used to measure the political and economic development of a society. In the case of the United States, both the northern and southern regions had been in states of economic prosperity with the South making huge profits and surplus from the agricultural niche it had always thrived on; reaping the benefits of low cost of labor to supply not only northern United States markets, but European and other world markets with cotton and its byproducts. In America’s case, these oftentimes conflicting systems both came with economic gain and the heavy infrastructural development of a growing population. The problem, however, would lie with how the American culture and society would adapt to these new ideas, and new ways of doing things. The matter of if the institutions of the past could survive and prove still effective and relevant as the United States aimed to establish itself as a global market of high influence was what needed to be asked in regards to the perseverance and perhaps expansion of slavery.

As the nation developed, new forms of industry and infrastructure also developed in a much larger scale than historical seen before. The railroad industry was rapidly materializing into a federal network established by private interests and investments. With such a laborious industry, slave labor was once again called upon to build up another branch on the nation’s backbone. This form of slave labor, however, was unprecedented as the industry that needed to be developed was not a regionally static one, but of expanding locations outside development. Slavery expanded beyond the master-slave plantation model and became a market where slave owners could manage their slaves on contracts, sending laborers to locations as needed with many times little to no face-time management. Here we also see the institution taking a new more faceless methodology in how it was carried out as it was painted in the light of other modern industries with some of its previous ‘savagery’ becoming harder and harder to identify. This system also sparked debate over what to do with newly acquired lands and territories untouched by slavery in the past as laborers entered into these lands while still under contract with their slave owner in a southern slave state. Legitimate precedence was necessary to be established in order to satisfy the constitution adapting to the social and cultural atmosphere of the time period. The acquisition of new territory, especially in regards to Nebraska, created much political conflict. Northern republicans at the time did not find the region conductive to slavery which was answered by heavy opposition by Whigs and southern democrats. The conflict created over how the Missouri Compromise was regarded shows the razor thin blanket of tension covering the nation at the time. Leaders who were more lax in regards to the enforcing of the conditions of the Missouri Compromise faced criticism from those who saw such behavior as the condoning of slavery whereas on the other hand many southerners would view the same notions as not holding and protecting the South’s interests as significant.

The volatile elements on what was done in the Kansas-Nebraska situation as well as a social culture being exposed to some of the untold of stories of how the master-slave relationship worked further divided the people. The southern institution was looked at by the world as an outrage against basic humanity. New literature such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin and other accounts reached northern and European markets and led them to question the ideals of southern identity; an identity southerners were quick to defend and protect. By the mid-19^th century, the United States was enthralled with an influx of European immigration. Immigrants came from different regions at times with different religious and economic backgrounds and changes in political representation as well as economic policy were necessary.

 Political leaders with new ideas and agendas captured the tension and attempted to grab control of a nation on the edge of division. Politicians such as Abraham Lincoln aimed to resolve the issues of slave expansion while adhering to the progression of not only economic markets and systems, but the mentality and ideas shared by the people. Lincoln created a sense of progression and fairness although from an evaluative standpoint, heavy ambiguity could be detected in his platforms. For instance, Lincoln expressed the idea that slavery was immoral and had always been, going as far as to cite the ideologies of the Founding Fathers, and that the institution should not be spread into any new territory acquired by the nation. However, Lincoln also served to uphold the constitution where slavery was permitted, stating that the institution should be protected in states where it already existed. The political environment of the time period showed its heavy volatility as parties disbanded and reformed in order to represent and account for new ideologies and candidates for leadership were critically chosen and stern on their stances. The state of the nation’s moral equity was a heavy player in the political arena as traveling religious agents and organizations rose exponentially in the early 19^th century attempting to reach and account for the many different faces of America. Religious literature became more readily available to isolated areas in the form of tracts and reprinted editions of the Holy Bible. The religious push would go on to both reinforce conservative behavior and practice as well as urge progression and ratification of such expressing the notion that “man did not have to be as before”. In the South, specifically, religious division was highly prevalent. The struggle between the ‘old, right ways’ challenged by new interpretations of the same teachings or new ones all together divided the people enough that political parties were starting to not necessarily be entirely regional affiliations.

The societal structure of the South at this time was challenged and conservation efforts were at a fever pitch. With new ideas and leaders such as Lincoln, many southerners and eventual secessionists felt it would be only a matter of time before turmoil ensued with free blacks, voting on actual issues taking place. The most extreme side of this spectrum envisioned a society where black people would dominate and retaliate heavily against white society creating a state of crime and violence with white interest being disregarded as socioeconomic regression would take place.  Succession was presented as the only option to conserve rightful society and to reject the ‘socialist’ insertions that would come from Lincoln and the shortsighted liberal collective. Secessionists felt that they were doing the right thing and did not necessarily view themselves as the renegades or rebels as history tends to describe them, but as conservatives with the option to fight for the preservation of the nation in which their ancestors fought for and their descendants would live in. Fighting to resist a deconstructed social system led to the creation of such, however. As the perhaps unforeseen, to such extent, repercussions of succession were quickly felt. The South was reminiscent to a war torn, poverty stricken nation state as most of the Civil War’s battles were fought in the region and their middle class male population were all used in the war effort. Women and children had to work to put food on the table like never before as their husbands, fathers and brothers left their communities to go on and battle the far superior in terms of technological and strategic Union military often leading to acts of dissertation and resistance to conscription. The vision was lost amongst the apparent classist leadership during the war period with upper class, able-bodied men granted low combat jobs and faced little relocation in order to protect financial institutions while men who as a whole more than likely were not grand slave owners or industrious tycoons fought to protect such assets. This alone would lead to the weakening of the Confederate movement. The motivation to fight to the end to protect morality was quickly dissipating and surrender to the Union was favorable as a whole.

Suggesting that slavery was the root cause of the Civil War structurally identifies both the fundamental spark of succession and the preceding combative events and the ‘final straw’ analogy of the entire conflict but that suggestion fails to explain the fundamental reasons of why slavery was such a divisive matter. The connection race and slavery had on the United States’ history is recognizable but may not be shown as relevant as it actually is. The bringing of an enormous population of Africans to what would be a new European colony had implementations yet to be understood dealing with the structure of society. The intentions of the initial slave traders and how black people were viewed and understood to be were not positive associations. These ideas were deeply planted into the psyche of the Americans and reinforced for centuries and centuries through the master-slave plantation model and barbaric and savage connotations. The economic success brought on by slave labor created a sense of moral rightness in the slave system; quite frankly, keeping blacks captured and working was seen as the right and godly mission and in many cases, racism was not presented with hate but as a representation of the patriarchal mindset of Western society and Abrahamic religious teachings. The reasons for succession were heartfelt and clear, but the reality of its repercussions and hard lesson learned about the need for change in systems proved to be one that the south was not prepared to handle that rapidly no matter how fervently race relations and practices were enforced in their cultural consciousness.

Problems with Social Order and Hierarchies in the post-Revolutionary American South - Tajae Pryce

The post-Revolutionary era of the United States brought forth great changes in the way society as a whole functioned. As industries were created and diversified, new cultural elements began to work their way into the mentality of the nation’s people. The South specifically was a place societal hierarchies virtually determined how one would be perceived and many times how they would act and carry out their communal duties. Social structures such as race, gender and class were marginal frameworks for classifying groups of people and individuals. While this system was recognized by leaders and those of governance, it was also internally maintained and reinforced by the people themselves allowing little opportunities for reformation or divergence. The hierarchal system of this society was one that impacted the Old South so greatly that elements of it exists in our current era affecting not only how the South and America does business, but also how people see themselves, how they treat each other and is often the foundation for tension between different groups of people and for the presumptions people harbor for others. 

            The impact of race relations of this time period is an important element to incorporate when creating an idea for how the state of society was. It is also important to note that race has been historically labelled as an ‘invented’ idea gaining prominence during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Race designates different groups of peoples that share common, distinguishable traits. By making something as distinguishable as ones ethnic phenotype, it was easy to establish ideas and norms in order to reinforce negative associations. The fundamental idea is based off of the assumption that blacks were an inferior race that was dangerous to themselves and to other members of society. Slavery allowed this way of thinking to be reinforced and prolonged. Blacks were put in subservient, subhuman roles. Their lives were traded and had monetary value and they had no rights guaranteed to them. For black people, this must have impacted them deeply. Reading the recounts of slaves and masters alike, allows us to see that there were some instances of rebellion to the way slaves were treated but said rebelliousness would eventually lead to submission. For example in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs recalls an incident where she verbal disagrees with her master not allowing her to court a black man she met which led to her master striking her. Another example could be the accounts of slaves feigning illnesses or running away to get out of whatever laborious activity they were assigned to do but some would come back once their ‘episode’ is over. In theory, this upholds behavior that marks a certain level of gradual dehumanization. The self-evident rights that all humans are born with are denied and no chance of hope for change exists. If they cannot fight or ratify their situation, then what are blacks in America supposed to be labeled as? They are not classified firstly as a human being even or as male or female. Their primary identifier is black. This methodology led to foolproof presumptive characteristics that all members of society could be aware of and recognize; black people were dangerous, unintelligent and subservient. Any black person that would try to raise his social status quickly realized that it would be safer for him to go about life in his social class. Deviating from his societal place would spark attention from others as well as fear and resistance of a change in the way things were done.

            Analyzing the societal environment of the Old South may attribute to comparisons of feudal or Middle Ages themes of the past. Honor and valor are themes that most southerners upheld and defended greatly. With this also came stark distinguishes between men and women of the time not only legally but socially. It is easy to imagine what typical a female of this time period, no matter what economic or educational level, might picture when they think of an ideal life. One would imagine a life of finding a strong loving husband willing to fight for her and keep her and her children safe and comfortable, the woman handling the domestic areas of the household and remaining as a humble, Godly guide for which to keep her husband on the righteous path. Women were taught as little girls their place, but not as how race was taught to blacks but more as something a good women would strive for. These ideas were reinforced and validated with Christian teachings and interpretations. This allowed little resistance of the desired social norms. In fact women expressed their desires for staying in that role. As Mrs. Cary writes in a chapter of her book dealing with female piety, “Religion…is at least most necessary to enable women to perform their allotted duties in life.” Again, by branching off of the fundamental roots of Christianity, the ‘duties’ of women were validated and deviancy was to be taken as blasphemous. The women were expected to be pious, their ‘power’ was to be expressed through grace and modesty. Her role in society, specifically in marriage, was to domesticate the man. Men, however, were not pious by nature which is why women were necessary to keep them at peace. Men were often described as violent and viriloid creatures who needed moral temperament as deemed by God. With that being said it is necessary to look more closely at these supposed truths and their effects. If a man is thought to be violent and undomesticated by nature, then what happens when he takes this anger out on his wife or another female? It is recorded that many instances of domestic abuse went on with nothing more than a slap on the wrist as punishment. It is to be excused, unless pushed further, and a man should be forgiven for his behavior as he ‘could not help it’ and hopefully his wife can put him back on the right path. The things that women were excused for and presumed as were for being mentally and physically weak beings who must remain ‘womanly’. There is no room for forgiveness of deviant behavior as it is an act against God whereas men often get by due to natural tendencies.

            Expanding more on the ideal life of a Southern lady allows us to see even deeper, more important societal order reaffirmations that hold much psychological grounds. The ideal life of piety and a perfectly domesticated household is, in my opinion, unattainable. Society cannot be perfect for a group as large as the female gender much less an even smaller population because of deviancy and the need for the fulfillment of everyone’s desires. I do believe however that the educational history and level of the woman is a major if not determining factor for how she holds these ideals. Looking at Mrs. Caroline Lilly’s religious journal, one can clearly see she is dealing with an internal struggle to achieve a state of Christian perfection. However, this 32 year old school teacher seems to have more Earthly, rational things on her mind such as tending to her family fields, her schoolhouse, raising her children and taking care of her household with her husband. She reiterates her satisfaction with not being more religious but acknowledges that no matter how she goes about, she always has God and his teachings in her heart. To me this is a form of modernization that exists when one is enlightened. She holds her spirituality in high regard but isn’t necessarily focused on what one may describe as the ideal southern lady. She appears happily married and goes about her tasks as independently as she can, oftentimes leaving the children with their father as she works or does business. Contrasting this woman from the typical woman in an area such as the backwoods of North Carolina shows how exposure to little to no higher education or the wrong form of education can warp the minds of young girls and adult women. The same image of the ideal lady exists but these economically and educationally poor white women are constantly chasing it putting aside most of their rationality. Many women found multiple suitors with hopes of marrying and raising children holding an estate and possessing he honor and acceptance of their peers, but ended up being abused, used or left with children to take care of. The dream was unattainable even more so for poor white women. These women are disenfranchised and unable to make much drastic change to their social status other than marrying rich. With limited education comes submission to this life. They accepted that this was how it must be and continued the behavior until they felt satisfied or defeated. This idea that women should be these perfect, beautiful pious figures seriously hurts womankind as a whole. Constantly having to live up to an image that a white male society has developed while never being able to possess the power or rights of these men puts these women in a vicious circle of submission and oppression.

            Class tensions and divisions are not inherent human traits, they are learned behavior dating back to the first members of intelligent civilization. With education comes the enlightenment that people, despite their physical or economic differences, are actually not that different at all. However, what seems to be more influential is knowledge passed down from family, peers and neighbors. More than likely, especially in the highly agricultural South, a person’s neighbor probably belonged to the same class and looked the same, in terms of ethnicity. This means that there is a high chance of the same ideas about other members of society being shared and reinforced among these groups. The South was plagued with both top-down and bottom-up ideologies about social norms and presumptions that once planted in the minds of the people spread heavily and is near impossible to get rid of without conscientious effort. It is not impossible to start seeing improvement in some of the negative effects of this phenomena, as we have seen much change in legal and societal views over time, but many of these ideas still exist in our culture. These presumptions often falsely validate themselves whether through high crime rates in African American populations, people living under the poverty line being labeled as lazy or people holding the idea that women ‘asked for’ rape or abused and were at fault. These hierarchal classifications and presumptions work so cohesively with society and how we go about our lives that it may seem to be something normal but we must remember that this was the case in the post-Revolutionary American South; slavery was the norm, female submission was the norm and so on. With effort, enlightenment and more time for minds not primed in these beliefs to develop into voters and lawmakers, the ills of social hierarchal classifications can gradually improve and people will demand recognition of their human rights and privileges and focus less on upholding the traditionally determined image of their race, class or gender.