- 1. Roll, Jordan, Roll: The World the Slaves Made by Eugene Genovese is a seminal work in American history that explores the complex and often troubling relationships between African American slaves, their masters, and the social structures of the antebellum South. Published in 1974, the book is distinguished by its in-depth analysis of the cultural, economic, and social lives of enslaved people, and it challenges traditional narratives that often diminish the agency and experiences of slaves. Genovese meticulously examines the ways in which enslaved African Americans crafted their own identities, formed familial structures, and developed rich cultural practices, even in the face of brutal oppression. The title itself references the spiritual song 'Roll, Jordan, Roll', which symbolizes both hope and resilience in the face of hardship. Genovese's work employs a wide range of sources, including slave narratives, plantation records, and oral histories, to provide a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of power and resistance in slave society. His arguments underscore the complexity of slavery as an institution that produced both suffering and community among slaves, and he also critiques the paternalistic views of many Southern whites who justified the system of slavery. Ultimately, 'Roll, Jordan, Roll' is not just a history of the institution of slavery, but a profound exploration of human relationships within a framework of domination, highlighting the struggle for dignity, agency, and justice.
Which concept is central to Genovese's analysis of slavery in the book?
A) Socialism
B) Isolationism
C) Paternalism
D) Manifest Destiny
- 2. According to Genovese, what was a key way slaves resisted their oppression?
A) Assimilating completely into white culture
B) Refusing to work under any circumstances
C) Launching large-scale, successful rebellions
D) Creating their own culture and community
- 3. How does Genovese view the agency of enslaved people?
A) They had no agency whatsoever
B) They were purely passive victims of the system
C) They were active agents in shaping their own world
D) Their agency was limited to violent rebellion only
- 4. Genovese's interpretation is often seen as a challenge to which earlier scholar?
A) Ulysses S. Grant
B) Frederick Douglass
C) W.E.B. Du Bois
D) Stanley Elkins
- 5. What was the 'hegemonic' function of paternalism, according to Genovese?
A) To help slaves win legal cases for their freedom
B) To secure the consent of the slaves to their own exploitation
C) To encourage slaves to revolt against their masters
D) To make the North recognize the South's legitimacy
- 6. What does Genovese argue about slave theft from the master?
A) It was seen by slaves as taking back what was rightfully theirs
B) It was considered a serious sin by the slave community
C) It was the most common form of large-scale resistance
D) It was extremely rare and severely punished always
- 7. Genovese suggests that the slave's most important victory was:
A) The successful overthrow of the plantation system
B) Converting their masters to Christianity
C) Gaining legal rights within the slave system
D) The preservation of their humanity and family
- 8. How does the book approach the use of slave narratives and folklore?
A) As sources only valuable for linguistic study
B) As unreliable sources too biased to be useful
C) As simple entertainment with no deeper meaning
D) As essential sources for understanding the slave perspective
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