Summary Of A Narrative Of The Captivity By Mary Rowlandson
Stories on how the captors treated their captives are widely known because of the narratives written by the oppressed themselves. Two famous authors who were kidnapped and sold as slaves reveal the difficulties they went through as captives, as well as, the challenges they faced in order to obtain their freedom. The oppressors in “A Narrative of the Captivity and restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson” by Mary Rowlandson were the Indians who held her and her daughter captive and sold them as property. While in From The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavas Vassa, the African, Written by Himself the oppressors are the slave traders who sell Equiano to different slave masters. Therefore, the oppressors in both narratives
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For instance, Rowlandson states that her mistress had “g[iven] [her] [her] load [and] [Rowlandson] complained it was too heavy, whereupon [her mistress] gave [her] a slap in the face, and bade [her to] go” (270). This shows how Rowlandson is given the tasks of a slave in which she now has to do labor, she wasn’t accustomed to and as a way of enforcing Rowlandson to do her job she is punished by her mistress. As a result, Rowlandson is often oppressed by her mistress who constantly reminds Rowlandson of her lower status. However, Rowlandson is also often oppressed by the Indians who limit her the opportunity to visit her family. Rowlandson states that she “begged, and persuaded them, but to let [her] see [her] daughter; and yet so hard- hearted were they, that they would not suffer it [making] use of their tyrannical power” (281). This shows the Indians cruel behavior towards Rowlandson by not permitting her to see her family, although she begged yet the Indians forbid that encounter making use of their power. Moreover, Rowlandson acknowledges that the Indians are aware of their power and therefore oppress her in order to keep her under control as well as reminding her of their superiority. Therefore, Rowlandson is often punished by her captors and reminded that she is not free confining her to her new role as a slave in order for her to have an opportunity to obtain her
For instance, Rowlandson states that her mistress had “g[iven] [her] [her] load [and] [Rowlandson] complained it was too heavy, whereupon [her mistress] gave [her] a slap in the face, and bade [her to] go” (270). This shows how Rowlandson is given the tasks of a slave in which she now has to do labor, she wasn’t accustomed to and as a way of enforcing Rowlandson to do her job she is punished by her mistress. As a result, Rowlandson is often oppressed by her mistress who constantly reminds Rowlandson of her lower status. However, Rowlandson is also often oppressed by the Indians who limit her the opportunity to visit her family. Rowlandson states that she “begged, and persuaded them, but to let [her] see [her] daughter; and yet so hard- hearted were they, that they would not suffer it [making] use of their tyrannical power” (281). This shows the Indians cruel behavior towards Rowlandson by not permitting her to see her family, although she begged yet the Indians forbid that encounter making use of their power. Moreover, Rowlandson acknowledges that the Indians are aware of their power and therefore oppress her in order to keep her under control as well as reminding her of their superiority. Therefore, Rowlandson is often punished by her captors and reminded that she is not free confining her to her new role as a slave in order for her to have an opportunity to obtain her