Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Language of Abolition

Clearly, these are two drastically different articles.  One is written by a man who is about to die for his crimes.  Another is a legal document that provides a loophole to the fugitive slave law. 

Yes, unfortunately, most legal documents are written in this obscure and difficult style--but why is that?  Why is it so difficult to read them?

What strikes you about John Brown's speech?  Would you have said anything different if you were in his shoes?

9 comments:

  1. After reading, “The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act,” I believe legal documents are purposely written in this difficult style in order to make it hard for common folk to comprehend the meaning of said legal document. Most people, would not understand how legal documents work, and need to have a lawyer read it instead. Legal documents fulfill their purpose by being difficult to read because it forms a barrier between the law and the people. When reading John Brown’s speech, I was most surprised at his easy, fluid speech. For a man about to be hung, he seemed very at ease with himself and accepting of his death because he thought that he had made a lasting impact. If placed in John Brown’s shoes, which I hope I never am, I would be very nervous and inconsolable. For Brown to have been so calm is a testament to who he was.

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  2. After reading both articles I believe in "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act" the document was written in that format so that only the most educated and knowledgeable people could decipher it. They also might have written in this style so that if some educated slaves were to read it they would also have a difficult time deciphering it. In these documents there is so many statements that can be overlooked that would change everything in your eye about the law. Although what strikes me about John Brown's speech is at how calm he was. Brown had accepted the fact and accepted what he had done he was not regretful nor resentful of the treatment against him, even more shocked because he was treated generously. If I was in John Brown's shoes I would not have said anything different. How I feel is what I would say and I believe he did just that.

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  3. After reading the article "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act" I feel the document was written in this tough manner so that only the educated can read them. Also they probably wanted somewhat educated slaves to also have a difficult time understanding the language. I also think that the terms people used back then are a lot different then they are now which makes it very difficult to understand. If I was placed in John Brown's shoes I would probably be nervous and frightened. I would probably be so nervous that I would just freeze and panic. It is very interesting how brave and relaxed Brown was during this situation. If I was about to be hung I don't know how I would react but I would try my best to escape the situation.

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  4. I feel "THe Northern State Defies Fugitive SLave Act" is intended for a more educated audience. Because it was written in a "sophisticated" manner, it make it hard for the non educated to understand what is actually being said. Also if you accuse someone of doing something wrong and they don't understand whats being said, you can manipulate them and tell them it means something when really it doesn't. If i was John Brown and was as radical as he was, i don't think that i would be scared when i was about o be hung because i knew i was doing the right thing and that God would reward me in heaven.

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  5. After reading both articles I believe in "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act" was truly written only for the educated and knowledgeable. I say this because if the uneducated have an opinion they can't speak up. And this way only literate people could make their own opinions. They also might have written in this style so that if some educated slaves were to read it they would also have a difficult time deciphering it. There are many points made that could change laws completely. John Brown was strikingly calm in his speech. He accepted what had coming to him and he did not have any resentments at all. Being as much of a radical as he was, he clearly did not resent death because he was dying for what he believes in. And I am sure he wouldn't go out any other way.

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  6. I think the reason why "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act" is so difficult to be read is it used many expressions (legal words) and very formal sentence structures. I think one of the main reasons it because legal documents' goal is to confuse most people and only people who work for law can "understand" or use them, it also make them seems HOLY.
    I was very surprised by "An Abolitionist Is Given the Death Sentence in 1859" because I am that kind of person who doesn't allow anything unfair to be happened. John Brown was pure and right, but he was given DEATH just because he was doing antislavery movements. It was very ironic when he said: "I see a book kissed, which I suppose to be the Bible, or the New Testament." because a right good man was judged by people who wanted to get benefits for themselves and give him the death. I understand that it is very unacceptable, but his courage and ease strengthen his right and strength. If I was him it is probably hard for me to be that quiet and cool, I would rather stand up and criticize the judges.

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  7. The reason why "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act" is incredibly dense and difficult to read is because it must be very specific and detailed so no one can take advantage of it. Another reason could be that it is not going to be read by the common person but an educated man who would find it easier to comprehend.
    I felt John Brown's speech was good but too passive. For someone who spent so much time running around and mass murdering slave owners and free slaves he had a rather subdued speech. If I were in his shoes it would have been much more aggressive, to the point, and critical of the South.

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  8. After reading "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act", I believe legal documents are written in such an obscure manner to keep people from being able to take advantage. Most laws do have loop holes, but those are impossible to find if one cannot understand the writing fully.
    What struck me most about John Brown's speech is when he said he felt "no consciousness of guilt". Here was a man who stood for a cause and would defend it even after he was tried and sent to be hanged. He says the people who convicted him swear and kiss upon the same Bible that speaks on treating people fairly and having empathy. I would have acted the same way if I believed my cause was just.

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  9. After reading the two articles, I think "The Northern State Defies Fugitive Slave Act" was written in such a complex and compound manner because it was not meant for anyone to read especially slaves. It was meant for the properly educated and non-slaves to understand it. What strikes me about John Brown’s speech is how composed he was about the situation. I think he was calm about it because his case helped fight the war against slavery and give individuals more reason to fight.If I were in John Brown’s shoes, I would have been very nervous before my sentencing.

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