Like that this is the same as getting cast in a play, uses this to show how most people are given their parts rather than having the ability to pick them for themselves.

Everyone wants it but it's considered evil, people create their own suffering and society perpetuates the necessity to suffer in order to live a pleasant life.

I will gladly "suffer" so long as everyone else is miserable too.

As he still refers to the captain as 'old hunks', so conveying the deep respect he holds for such a position.

To be ordered around? He doesn't want to sail under a title, yet it still wounds his honor having to take orders from other people...I feel like he comes from a higher position yet he acts as though he toughs through life with little money and little support outside himself. Going on to talk about family names makes me think that he himself comes from one of these names that makes it particularly difficult to adjust to not being in a position of authority.

This seems huge, having a character prone to anxiety and depression that uses the sea as his escape is extremely interesting. I feel like we as readers have already been given so much about this character and it seems like what is to unfold throughout the story is already being set up in the first paragraphs. So much is being said with very little actually happening.

Interesting...I want more backing to this statement to understand what he's getting at.

Issue with authority/titles? Combined with comment about money seems as though he is making a point about the superficial nature of those in "power" and with money to do as they wish. There is also this feeling of inadequateness that comes through in not being able to support oneself at sea through hard work and dedication. Determines an honorable sailor as one that is self-reliant.

Cato serves as a contrast to 'quietly take to the ship', his death was quite violent. Also this image of suicide alongside the first look at the narrator struggling with depression; narrator jumps to the sea as Cato had jumped onto his sword. Very interesting reference to have so early in the novel.

At ease at sea, away from people. Most likely is a narrator's "get away".

...what exactly is "kind of" about this? Creating a sympathetic connection to an enslaved character and showing the liberation of a white man in being able to help give a person a chance at creating a new life for themselves isn't an abolitionist narrative? I'm curious to what your definition of an abolitionist narrative looks like.

How much money is Listwell suppose to spend on top of risking his land, home, and ability to further pursue the abolition of slavery. How much are you going to ask of one man acting alone? If this was all you could do would you not do it just because it wouldn't save everyone?

It's not very realistic to think that Listwell would be able to free every slave he encounters. He too walks a fine line while pursuing his desire to see slavery abolished. Should he just come out with it, he would be punished, imprisoned, or forced to hand over his land; who would he be able to help then? When breaking the law, even when those laws are unjust, one cannot just expect to do so without repercussions.

Madison doesn't make this decision to be 'brave' he takes a great personal risk for the opportunity to revolt against the life he has been forced to live. He's not trying to be some great hero, he just wants a chance at his right to freedom.

In order to take part in abolishing slavery a person needs to associate themselves with it, even if that association is anti-slavery. There is no way to be impartial with it and still work towards its removal.

Why is it inevitable?

The Heroic Slave is written as a narrative, it aims to tell a story rather than entertain readers. Benito Cereno is more for an audience looking to consume literature rather than an audience seeking a personal experience that sheds light on an injustice in the country. It makes sense that the narrative would be more straightforward and not bother with background details, rather staying true to the characters the readers follow.

...just forget your family? Ok...weird stance

This is almost contradictory to the stance earlier that Listwell should have freed every slave he encountered, Madison returns for the purpose of freeing his family and winds up in this situation once again. Working towards freedom is not a straight shot, it was extremely complicated and most people could only hope to achieve such a goal. There was no certainty that what they were doing would work but they took every chance, no matter how small they had, to win their freedom.

When Madison first met Listwell he was apprehensive of a white man helping him and thought it a trick, it wouldn't be that easy for Listwell to establish trustworthy connections with every enslaved person he met. He could even take the chance of exposing himself if he tried.

What lengths would you go to see at least one person freed and know they have a chance at life?

Supporting or working the system in place to undermine it?

Honestly I'd just take her out right here.

To steal more food from children?

Don't hide behind bible verses Mary you straight up just stole a starving kid's food.

So does she have a designated wigwam, cause she goes around to a lot of other wigwams.

I'm starting to think it's just Mary that they don't want hanging around. When she was sent away from her daughter the first time it was because the sight of Mary made her daughter cry and then she tried to rally the other captives, they're probably suspicious of her.

Interesting lie to tell her....

I feel like this is just another example of how Mary does things to benefit herself without really taking into consideration the people she is with. She moved a stick in the fire so she could be warmer but didn't really need to do that. Then she 'looks up' at the woman almost like a challenge to her action at preventing Mary warmth. There are lots of times that Mary is outspoken and pushes her captives by trying to act like she is equal or above them. She takes from these people and thinks it unfair when she is given the same things as them. Mary always tries to get more from these people and they're probably sick of it. Throwing ashes into her eyes is a bit much but I can also she the frustration of the Natives with this woman.

Didn't realize it was common for the Natives to lie. How does she know they lie a lot? Has she brought this up before?

Trading food for goods. Feel like maybe Mary could have gotten herself a better position if she had taken advantage of this skill she has. She could have fostered a relationship between herself and the Indians to get food or other items she could need.

That's kinda a part of being a captive...

She's constantly looking for comfort and continually tries to gain pity from the Indians. If I was her captives I think I would be fed up with her antics too. She only ever talks about her discomforts, complains about not getting sympathy for doing the same thing as everyone around her, and when she does receive kind gifts and generosity from the Indians, she thanks her god. All while calling these people that are basically housing her evil, rude, savages.

I thought her master told her that if she went to another wigwam they would be angry.

What is a 'Friend Indian'? Is that the name they gave Indians that were slaves and worked for the colonists? How does one distinguish themselves as a Friend Indian, why would they do this?

I feel like maybe she's not telling us something? From her account here the Indians sound a little bi-polar but they don't act this way in the text earlier.

So did they or did they not? Is she just salty that they made her move?

Blanket of sticks or does she know how to build a fire? I feel like it's just a blanket of sticks...

I feel like Mary's losing it a bit here...either that or I'm just totally lost, which could very well be the case.

what is this home you speak of???

Of course...

why is the idea of going back to crazy to her? Does she wish to go back? Does she think her journey will end sooner if they turn back? Are the English still following them?

You are outrageous lady

Feel like this a foreshadowing moment... why 3 days specifically? Will he really turn back in 3 days?

why?

Physical or spiritual burden?

what do you get out of complaining? She's been carrying things this whole time but this load she decides to complain about? Did her mistress add to the load because of the bible thing?

Could the papoose have been killed by someone English or as a result of someone English, making the mistress change her mind about allowing Mary to have her bible?

does she ever do anything else?

what is "Nux"? Why is she happy? Does she or does she not want to be with her husband? Is there bad blood???

Wasn't her husband also taken as a captive?

Not the full collection, just a part of a larger collection of works. Not every text under the umbrella of "American Literature" is going to be approved or needs to be approved to be considered a piece of American literature

Arguably the most important statement as everything about the anthology is subject to change yet the process of compiling and determining what works have important themes, context, etc. Establishing key methods of analyzing text is the real take away for students.

Anthology to be updated and revised to stay current?

How modern is "modern"? Must the def of American lit need to constantly revisited?

why? Do we have to look at these texts in a "new" way? What do we gain from changing the context of text to fit the "modern age"?

what are past definitions? why must we revisit them?

very similar; are they to be kept separate in the definition of American Lit? Don't these two go hand in hand? American history is deeply ingrained in American literature and literature plays an important role in history.