- Dessa Rose
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Dessa Rose is a novel by Sherley Anne Williams published in 1986. The book is a Neo-slave narrative, incorporating many elements of traditional slave narratives. The book is divided into three sections: The Darky, The Wench and The Negress. The sections represent a different stage of growth in the life of the protagonist, Odessa "Dessa" Rose.
Contents
Plot summary
The book begins with Odessa Rose, a pregnant slave fugitive in a prison cell in Marenga County, Alabama. Captured along with many of her fellow runaways, Dessa's execution was postponed until the birth of her child. Shortly before giving birth, three men appear at night and rescue her. The four travel to a small plantation in Sutton managed by Ruth Elizabeth. Her husband had departed on a business trip several years ago and never returned. The slaves took off and Mrs. Rufel (as everyone calls her) began harboring runaway slaves to replace them. The fugitives devise a plan to free themselves. Mrs. Rufel must sell the slaves during the day, then pick them back up at night; cheating the buyers out of their money. When the small band has accumulated enough money, the slaves will flee west.
Historical context
The book is based on two historical incidents. In 1829 a pregnant slave woman led a revolt against slave traders, and in 1830 a white woman had a habit of taking in runaway slaves. The book combines the two stories, with the two women meeting and forming a plan to free the runaways.
The novel was written as a response to William Styron's Confessions of Nat Turner. The white man assuming the voice of an African American man enraged the black community. In Dessa Rose, Sherley Anne Williams, a black woman takes the voice of a white woman.
References
Template:Williams, Sherley. Dessa Rose. New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 1986. Print.
External links
Categories:- 1986 books
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