Option 1: Choose ONLY two texts that seem to be in conversation with each other (they could agree or disagree). Analyze and discuss their competing visions of the American Dream. Whose is the most persuasive? How likely would 19th-century readers be persuaded by such writers/speakers? How would geography determine that audience's receptiveness to the writers'/speakers' claims?
During the Civil War America was not UNITED in any sense. There was a lot of tension between the North and the South. This tension was due to the difference in opinions regarding slavery. For the Southerners slavery had become a customary way of life. As we have read in our text the Northern states was a place where slaves could attempt to flee to in order to live a life of freedom. Many people from both sides had different opinions.
The first author I would like to discuss is Mary Boykin Miller Chesnut. Mary Chesnut being a Southerner viewed slavery as crucial to the Southern way of life. In her diary when finding out about General Lee surrendering Mary's response was, "Now we belong to negroes and Yankees!" Chesnut is upset because she knows that the South will no longer be able to own slaves and she blames the “Yankees and negroes” for changing the lifestyle to which Southerners are accustomed to. She continues, "They are everywhere, these Yankees, like red ants, like the locusts and frogs which were the plagues of Egypt." I find this statement made by Chesnut to be ironic. Does Chesnut believe the South to be like Egypt? I believe that there is a connection between the Egyptians and the South because slavery was present in both. Chesnut believes the North to represent the plagues I believe there is a connection between the North and Moses because both advocated against slavery.
An opposing view comes from John Brown. John Brown says, "Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say let it be done." Brown as an advocate of slavery is accepting his punishment because he believes that he along with others are fighting for a good cause. Brown even quotes the Bible saying, "Whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them." This is from Matthew 7:12. Brown believed that he had a calling from God to participate in the antislavery crusade. A connection could be made between Moses who received a calling from God to free the slaves of Egypt and Brown who believes he too was called by God to free the slaves of the South.
After analyzing both readings there is one question to be answered which of these two readings is most likely to persuade a 19th century reader. The answer would mostly depend on a person’s location. For instance a Southerner would side with Mary Chesnut because they too do not want to get rid of their way of life owning slaves. However, if a Northerner were to read John Brown's statement before his death they would empathize with him. As a reader from the 21st century I am more persuaded by the just cause being Brown. As we have read both the North and the South were both religious. However, the question is did the South act, as Christians should? No, because as we have read those who were Christians in the South tended to be the more cruel of masters.
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