Slave owners Controlling the Slaves Mrs. Ringuette Thesis statement Threats Bribery Punishment Laws Bibliography

Thesis Statement “Roots” accurately portrayed how slave owners controlled their slaves with threats, bribery, laws and punishments. Home

Controlling slaves with Punishments ¥ June 10, 1709 George B-th brought home my boy Eugene.... In the evening I took a walk about the plantation. Eugene was whipped for running away and had the [bit] put on him. I said my prayers and had good health, good thought, and good humor, thanks be to God Almighty. (William Byrd Diary) In “Roots” Kunta Kinte was punished by whipping for running away and for refusing to answer to the name “Toby.” Similarly, William Byrd writes in his diary about having a runaway slave whipped as punishment and put in a bit for good measure. Home

Controlling Slaves with Threats ¥ February 22, I threatened Anaka with a whipping if she did not confess the intrigues between Daniel and Nurse… (Wlliam Byrd Diary) In “Roots” Master Reynolds told Fiddler to turn Kunta Kinte into a proper field hand “or else.” He was clearly threatening Fiddler to get him to follow orders. In the same way, Byrd threatened Anaka to get her to talk. Home

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