Slavery In The Novel Nightjohn

Slavery in a Novel

Are you a human? Do you believe in human rights and equality? Well, some of the characters in the book Nightjohn didn’t believe in equality. They believed in punishing anybody who did not look like them. Even though the slaves might have done something differently than they would have done it, slavery should not have been a problem. During this book, there were multiple themes that represented that fact, including leadership, bravery, and prejudice. These themes were fully responsible with conveying that slavery was not, and never will be, a justifiable act.

Firstly, as with any relationship, there is a leader of some kind. Nightjohn was the leader of the slaves on that plantation. To be an effective leader, it is imperative
that you understand the common goal of the person or group of people you are leading and know how your person or group of people work, and Nightjohn had those characteristics. If you can figure out what the group needs, your leadership skills will improve greatly. In the book, Clel Waller was the leader for the worst reasons. He was an awful slave owner who treated his slaves incompetently. He influenced his family and slaves in a negative way, by teaching them that reading and independence was not okay. Sarny was a leader by teaching the other slaves to read and write when they needed it, even when she could have gotten reprimanded for it.

Secondly, bravery is important to be a leader.
Nightjohn was brave on the grounds that he came back to the slaves, even after he had escaped freely to the north, to teach the slaves to read and write against Waller’s will. He was brave and became a leader because of it. Sarny was brave in the sense that she went against many slave laws to read and write for the other slaves’ good. Bravery has a big impact on the abolition of slaves. It is important because you strive to be able to stand up for what you believe in, and most people in those times didn’t agree with abolition. Standing up for what is right and what you believe in is the core of bravery. Therefore, that’s what it takes to abolish
slavery.

Lastly, prejudice is a sensitive subject at this time, and it is the last theme.
The definition of prejudice is a “preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience,” which is exactly what occurred with the slave owners when they assumed that all African-Americans were not fit to be treated with respect, when in fact they only looked different. It is very important for people to have evidence and reasoning before any opinion is formed. If people were judged for what they looked like or believed in, the friends and acquaintances you have would not be with you today. You can learn a lot from what people judge on, or even if they judge at all, and it isn’t always appealing. It is never permitted to judge someone, even when they may look different or come from another place. No person or group of people should be denied equal rights and respect, no matter the culture, religion, race, gender, or
appearance.

In conclusion, this book had many themes that represented the fact that slavery had many impacts on the country and people around it. Whether it was the bravery, prejudice, or leadership, it all brought the slaves together. Those themes kept the spirit and enmity of the slaves alive and fighting, which was important for the abolition of slavery. The next time you see some prejudice, stop it and help however you can to ensure that it does not happen again. When you see bravery, applaud it with all of your might and exhibit it yourself. If you see leadership, don’t be a follower, help them be a better leader by encouraging and teaching them through your own ways. Above all else, keep your wits about you and believe in what you stand for.