Analysis Of Enslaved Women By Octavia Butler

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The author also describes the involuntary tasks throughout the book of enslaved women. While Margaret was away, Sarah, the main cook, oversaw the household chores and servants so no one would be later punished if their jobs were noticeably unfinished (Butler 144). Enslaved women worked in the domestic sphere because they were as natural caretakers. They were deemed valuable because of their gender, able to produce children that would later become slaves. “‘ ‘Cause of Carrie and me, he’s one nigger, richer’” (Butler 161). Black women were also victims of abuse by their masters. A mistress could yell or whip them as they pleased, but the master could rape them. The women on plantations had to endure all forms of violence because of how little their power was in the hierarchy. Dana also began to realize there were consequences more inhumane than a whipping, “he could do anything he wanted to me. …show more content…

No lawyer or judge would protect a slave’s nonexistent rights. They were property and as property could be used in any way seen fit by their master. Thus, illegitimate children were formed and forced into slavery. The mistress had no control over her husband’s actions and had to tolerate the children of enslaved women if not able to sell them (Butler 85). There was always the looming threat that a family could be separated no matter how well they worked. Sarah had several of her children sold on the whims of Margaret and not solely because it would produce profit (Butler 95). Enslaved women could not resist the actions of the masters without facing punishment. The challenges faced by slaves had to be met with stoicism. By suppressing their hardships, slaves were led to suicide or driven to escape with little

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