『드레드: 거대하고 우울한 늪지의 이야기』에 나타난 백인 온정주의: 에드워드 클레이튼의 성장을 중심으로 (White Paternalism Examined Through Edward Clayton in Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 19세기영어권문학회
· 수록지 정보 : 19세기 영어권 문학 / 21권 / 2호 / 59 ~ 79페이지
· 저자명 : 안동현

초록

This article argues that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s second anti-slavery novel Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp shows the author’s self-reflection as a white advocate of abolitionism. This article focuses on the character of Edward Clayton, who has much in common with the author, thus making it possible for her to critically review her own status as she speaks for African American slaves. In the novel, there are two court trials involving African Americans. Clayton reveals white paternalism, and emphasizes the weakness of black people instead of crediting their bravery or integrity that they deserve. Clayton feels justified in merely “taking care of them,” instead of focusing on speaking of their anger and cause for resistance. In describing Clayton in these events, Stowe displays a critical distance between him and herself. Clayton’s transformation from a good white man to a real abolitionist begins when he meets with Dred, the slave insurrectionist, and runaway slaves in the swamp. After his experience in the swamp, he begins to embrace African American people as equals which becomes his realistic alternative to Dred’s insurrection and Milly’s pacifism. In the end, he can be said to have overcome and abandoned his white paternalistic tendencies, just as Stowe herself has.

영어초록

This article argues that Harriet Beecher Stowe’s second anti-slavery novel Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp shows the author’s self-reflection as a white advocate of abolitionism. This article focuses on the character of Edward Clayton, who has much in common with the author, thus making it possible for her to critically review her own status as she speaks for African American slaves. In the novel, there are two court trials involving African Americans. Clayton reveals white paternalism, and emphasizes the weakness of black people instead of crediting their bravery or integrity that they deserve. Clayton feels justified in merely “taking care of them,” instead of focusing on speaking of their anger and cause for resistance. In describing Clayton in these events, Stowe displays a critical distance between him and herself. Clayton’s transformation from a good white man to a real abolitionist begins when he meets with Dred, the slave insurrectionist, and runaway slaves in the swamp. After his experience in the swamp, he begins to embrace African American people as equals which becomes his realistic alternative to Dred’s insurrection and Milly’s pacifism. In the end, he can be said to have overcome and abandoned his white paternalistic tendencies, just as Stowe herself has.

참고자료

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