Source Analysis Project
Primary Source Analysis Project
The letter I have researched was written by Livingstone to his son Robert M. Livingstone. It was sent from River Zambesi May 31, 1859. In this letter, there are three major themes including: slavery, religion, and fatherly advice. He made it clear in the end of the letter that his words were written specifically for Robert and his brother Thomas and no one else, leading to the conclusion the words in this letter are from his heart and very personal. He trusts his sons therefore his writing was not influenced by anything but his guilt for not being there for his sons as much as he’d like but also a passion for his work. The letter begins with Livingstone apologizing for not being an active father and not writing as much as he would like, but making sure his son knows he’s on his mind. However, he does not regret this as he wholeheartedly believes he is “doing good service to the cause of Christ on earth.” He goes on to speak of his dream of slavery being abolished and of God’s love spreading throughout Africa. As the letter goes on he writes of a lake called Shirwa he discovered and illustrates the scenery of Africa. He describes the mountains a narrow neck of land separating the Shirwa and a larger lake called Nyinyesi. He then goes on to explain …show more content…
that this exploration and discovery is not for his personal gain. He does not want the world to applaud his work, but to work for themselves. Starting in the 15th century a new era of slavery had emerged that led to it becoming one, a job for Africans and two, dehumanizing in every way. Not even the transportation was humane. With so many slaves being transported at once, “tight-packing” became the norm and many slaves died before they reached their destination. Livingstone had a burning desire to fix this. He stated that not only could people get cotton and sugar from the land he has discovered, but he wants people to do so for themselves. He speaks of how God has provided them with the means to grow and harvest on their own. Livingstone transitions from slavery to religion and grants religious advice upon his son. Without even knowing he was a missionary, it’s very easy to tell he is a very religious man. He thanks God for everything he’s accomplished and his uttermost desire is for the world to love Christ like he does; the world including his son. He pleads that his son give his life to Christ in everything he does and that he does not envy those who lead a godly life but to be one of them. He explains to his son that he does not have to be a minister in order to live for Christ, but that he can lead the life he desires while still honoring God. Livingstone was a disciple at heart and he took this faith and love of God to the people of Africa. Although it’s said he only converted one African to Christianity, he treated all of them with great respect and showed them the love of God anyway, and wished that the entire world could do the same. In his later years, Livingstone’s greatest regret was that he did not spend enough time with his children.
Towards the end of the letter it becomes evident just how much he misses his family and wishes to be with them. He explains that he hasn’t heard from his wife in a long time and that there had been no news from England in twelve months. He says this quickly and concisely though, as if he doesn’t want to dwell on it. To make up for lost time in a sense he starts giving his son advice on how to be successful. He tells him to work hard at whatever he does, smile pleasantly and easily, and to seldom show displeasure. He signs the note with “Ever yours affectionately, David
Livingstone.” David Livingstone had many goals in his life. As much as he wanted to convert others to Christianity his passion for abolishing slave trade took precedent. He treated people with respect, no matter their race or religion, and he loved his children although he didn’t get to see them as much as he’d liked. This letter is proof of his drive to make the world a better place and his undying faith in God.
The letter I have researched was written by Livingstone to his son Robert M. Livingstone. It was sent from River Zambesi May 31, 1859. In this letter, there are three major themes including: slavery, religion, and fatherly advice. He made it clear in the end of the letter that his words were written specifically for Robert and his brother Thomas and no one else, leading to the conclusion the words in this letter are from his heart and very personal. He trusts his sons therefore his writing was not influenced by anything but his guilt for not being there for his sons as much as he’d like but also a passion for his work. The letter begins with Livingstone apologizing for not being an active father and not writing as much as he would like, but making sure his son knows he’s on his mind. However, he does not regret this as he wholeheartedly believes he is “doing good service to the cause of Christ on earth.” He goes on to speak of his dream of slavery being abolished and of God’s love spreading throughout Africa. As the letter goes on he writes of a lake called Shirwa he discovered and illustrates the scenery of Africa. He describes the mountains a narrow neck of land separating the Shirwa and a larger lake called Nyinyesi. He then goes on to explain …show more content…
that this exploration and discovery is not for his personal gain. He does not want the world to applaud his work, but to work for themselves. Starting in the 15th century a new era of slavery had emerged that led to it becoming one, a job for Africans and two, dehumanizing in every way. Not even the transportation was humane. With so many slaves being transported at once, “tight-packing” became the norm and many slaves died before they reached their destination. Livingstone had a burning desire to fix this. He stated that not only could people get cotton and sugar from the land he has discovered, but he wants people to do so for themselves. He speaks of how God has provided them with the means to grow and harvest on their own. Livingstone transitions from slavery to religion and grants religious advice upon his son. Without even knowing he was a missionary, it’s very easy to tell he is a very religious man. He thanks God for everything he’s accomplished and his uttermost desire is for the world to love Christ like he does; the world including his son. He pleads that his son give his life to Christ in everything he does and that he does not envy those who lead a godly life but to be one of them. He explains to his son that he does not have to be a minister in order to live for Christ, but that he can lead the life he desires while still honoring God. Livingstone was a disciple at heart and he took this faith and love of God to the people of Africa. Although it’s said he only converted one African to Christianity, he treated all of them with great respect and showed them the love of God anyway, and wished that the entire world could do the same. In his later years, Livingstone’s greatest regret was that he did not spend enough time with his children.
Towards the end of the letter it becomes evident just how much he misses his family and wishes to be with them. He explains that he hasn’t heard from his wife in a long time and that there had been no news from England in twelve months. He says this quickly and concisely though, as if he doesn’t want to dwell on it. To make up for lost time in a sense he starts giving his son advice on how to be successful. He tells him to work hard at whatever he does, smile pleasantly and easily, and to seldom show displeasure. He signs the note with “Ever yours affectionately, David
Livingstone.” David Livingstone had many goals in his life. As much as he wanted to convert others to Christianity his passion for abolishing slave trade took precedent. He treated people with respect, no matter their race or religion, and he loved his children although he didn’t get to see them as much as he’d liked. This letter is proof of his drive to make the world a better place and his undying faith in God.