Slavery under black master in the 19th century of America in Edward P. Jones’ The Known World

ABSTRACT

Slavery is one of many social phenomenon that are often reflected in the literary work. Many writers use topic of slavery to their work. They try to retell the history of slavery and describe its condition trough their work. As the product of society, a literary work sometimes becomes the expression of the social condition in certain time and place. This is why the literary work can be a reflection of the real life.

This study aimed to investigate the form of slavery treatments, to find out the differences of treatment between white masters and black masters and to know the author’s worldview. Therefore, the researcher is interested in analyzing Slavery under Black Master in the 19th Century of America in Edward P. Jones’ The Known World. There are four problems of study in this research, 1) What are the form of slavery treatments experienced by the blacks in Edward P. Jones’ The Known World? 2) What are the difference of treatments between black masters and white masters toward their slaves? 3) What is the worldview of the author? 4)How does The Known World reflect the real social phenomenon of slavery in American society in the 19th century?.

To gain the good result of this analysis, the researcher uses genetic structuralism approach. The analysis begins with finding and discussing the intrinsic elements of the novel in order to know the worldview of the author. Then, the analysis goes on the extrinsic aspects of the novel.

After analyzing the novel, the researcher found that slaves received brutal and inhuman treatments from their master. The form of slavery treatments given by the master are; the master freely to buy or sell them, to punish without sanction, to separate family, and to exploit sexually. As the form of property of their owner, slaves could not legally marry, nor own property, nor leave the plantation without permission, and illegal to be taught to read or write. Moreover, their movements always monitored by patrollers and overseer. Actually, slaves received same treatments from white masters or black masters. What makes them different is that black masters have benevolent behavior than white masters in treating their slaves. The researcher found that the worldview of the author is that slavery is bad. He disagrees with the institution of slavery. Finally, the researcher proved that The Known World reflects the real phenomenon of slavery in American society at that time.