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Journal Entries In The Middle Passage

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Charles Johnson's use of journal entries in his novel, The Middle Passage, is a powerful literary device that enhances the impact of the story. By incorporating personal accounts and first-hand experiences of characters, Johnson brings a level of authenticity and emotional depth to the novel that would be impossible to achieve through narration alone. Johnson's use of journal entries in The Middle Passage is a key factor in its ability to convey the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and the impact it had on the lives of those who were forced to endure it. One of the most striking aspects of The Middle Passage is the vividness and detail with which Johnson portrays the experience of being a slave aboard a slave ship. By incorporating journal entries from characters such as Rutherford Calhoun and Ngonyama, Johnson is able to provide a more nuanced and complex understanding of the psychological toll that the journey took …show more content…

By incorporating entries from the captain and crew of the ship, Johnson is able to provide a more nuanced and complex understanding of the power dynamics that existed on board. For example, when Rutherford Calhoun first meets the captain, he wrote, "I find myself charmed by Captain Falcon. He is a man of great wit and intelligence, and he treats me with a kindness that is rare in these circumstances. And yet, I cannot forget that he is my captor, and that he is responsible for the suffering of myself and my fellow slaves." This passage focuses on the complicated emotions that Rutherford experiences towards the captain, and stresses the ways in which power and oppression can create complex relationships between people. By incorporating these complex relationships into the story, Johnson is able to provide a more accurate portrayal of the slave trade than would be possible through a more straightforward

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