34 pages • 1 hour read
John W. BlassingameThe Slave Community: Plantation Life in the Antebellum South
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1979A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
John W. Blassingame's The Slave Community: Plantation Life in the Antebellum South explores the lived experiences and cultural activities of enslaved individuals, focusing on their African heritage, culture, and adaptation to the Southern United States. The book discusses how enslaved people developed a unique culture, formed and protected family bonds, engaged in acts of resistance and revolts, and had complex relationships with white people, while actively creating and preserving their individuality and community despite the brutal conditions of slavery. This book contains racially-charged language and mentions physical and sexual violence against enslaved people.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
John W. Blassingame's The Slave Community is praised for its groundbreaking exploration of enslaved people's culture, autonomy, and resistance. Reviewers appreciate its depth and use of slave narratives. Criticisms include perceived romanticization and over-reliance on limited sources. Important for its new perspectives, yet controversial in interpretation.
Who Should Read The Slave Community?
Readers interested in African American history, slavery, and sociological studies will appreciate John W. Blassingame's The Slave Community. Comparable to Roll, Jordan, Roll by Eugene D. Genovese and Roots by Alex Haley, this book offers nuanced insights into the daily lives, cultures, and resilience of enslaved African Americans.