Essay Sample on The Murder of the Slave Master in "Celia, A Slave"

Introduction

“Celia, A Slave” is a masterpiece authored by Melton Alonza outlining information about a 14-year old Celia who seemingly became the property of Robert Newsome, a respected Missouri farmer. As much as most of the elements communicate about Celia as a slave, rhetorical analysis focus on the murder of the slave master. As much as there was a controversy regarding letting Missouri be a free state, many aspects were considered a compromise. The element was hotly debated but eventually repealed. Love, self-determination, society underpinnings, status in society, and choosing life to leave made Celia take Newsom's life after a long-term negotiation to beseech him to stop using her for sex, having established a secret love relationship with George, a slave.

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Multiple Instances

There are multiple instances that show that Celia was being mistreated and often raped by the slave master. Even after raping her multiple times and made her their two children for him, he kept on using her for sex, an aspect that made Celia find a solution to her problems. After trying multiple times to convince him through his daughters, her requests were not accorded accordingly even after sharing the sentiments with his grandson, Billy. Newsome often ignored her pleas. In most cases, he told Celia that he was coming to her cabin just for sex. Demanding for sex was a justification that Newsom was using Celia appropriately and during odd hours, all for the reasons that she was a slave.

On the other hand, Newsom had refused to remarry and took Celia for ill reasons since he raped her on the way to his home after buying her from a different slave owner. As noted earlier, "Newsom setup Celia with her cabin, as a means that is better to exploit her since the cabin had its fireplace and chimney," which she later lived with her two children that she bore (McLaurin Ch. 2.). According to today's understanding of rape victims, Celia's reaction shows how they can save themselves from the mess created by rape incidences.

Considering that McLaurin mentioned that it was uncommon for most female slaves to be sexually active before attaining the age of 15, it is justifiable to say the first rape case on Celia was her first sexual experience. The reaction that resulted in the death of the slave master is affiliated with the fact that victims of rape cases feel violated and mostly experience rage and fear (McLaurin Ch. 2). The rage and fear made Celia act in a manner that resulted in Newsom's death, the slave master. The motivation behind the murder of the slave master was also contributed by the fact that Celia worse in a love relationship with the newly acquired slave by the name George. Besides, George had informed her that if she could not stop having sexual relations or letting the slave master keep on raping her, she could leave her and quit the relationship.

Feelings

Celia did not have time to process her feelings, but rather the rape abuse kept on becoming the norm for her life and made her feel misused. Most importantly, Celia was trapped with Newsom, the rapist, and became unable to appeal to any individual for help. Another aspect is that white people could not see any wrong in Newsom's actions as a slave. The aspect adds value to the drastic nature of the action that she had to take during her desperation, which ended up resulting in the death of Newsom, the slave owner (McLaurin Ch. 2). Celia also realized that Newsom's family knew that he was using her for sex, but since he was not living with his sons, then his two daughters could not do anything about it to save Celia from her tribulations.

Normally, women were at men's mercy. However, Celia's cry to get justice or relief from the stress resulted from multiple rape incidences from her slave owner's beard, no fruits, and she resorted to taking action against the act. Another aspect that justified the death of the slave owner is the fact that the position of white women was a little better than that of black women only if men decided to be kind to white women. Still, nothing was there to aid her supposed to be relieved from the harm resulting from Newson. Another disgusting aspect is that Newson's daughters were not disgusted by their father's behavior. And many people thought that Celia might have entrapped Newson, their father, since "black women were seen as seductresses" (McLaurin Ch. 2). For that reason, Celia knew that no one was willing to be concerned about her protection from the slave owner at all cost, and she decided to justify the need for her safety and freedom from rape despite her powerlessness.

Common Aspect

Rape of slaves by their Masters was a common aspect. The encounter between Newson and Celia reveals that slave masters did not suffer from an aspect of nagging questions regarding their action against female slaves. Because Newsom was also not suffering any nursing questions regarding Celia's treatments, her powerlessness made her think of appropriate ways to end her tribulations. Newsom had no sympathy for Celia despite knowing that her pregnancy was his responsibility; hence it was a wise decision to find a solution to the looming tribulations ahead of her because Newsom was determined to continue raping her as long as he wanted (McLaurin Ch. 2). Celia was not having any pleasure having sex or being raped by Newsom, an aspect that boosted her determination to stop the act. Celia pleaded with Newsom to stop raping her while she was sick, but all was in vain. Newson's behavior towards Celia was callous and unsympathetic.

Considering the ways female slaves were treated, Celia had no option to take since if she resorted to physical resistance, then the slave owner could kill or even beat her. Chances were also evidence that Newsom could retaliate against her children, and perhaps he could sell them. No one was available to speak up for her, and the only option was upon her to take all chances possible to end her tribulations by dealing with Newsom. Additionally, George did not even bring to light any plight to help Celia by interceding with Newsom and telling Celia to quit having sex with Newsom, which subjected her to more stress. The stress that was overwhelming Celia made her resort to such an act.

Conclusion

Indeed, love, self-determination, society underpinnings, status in society, and choosing life to leave made Celia take Newsom's life after a long-term negotiation to beseech him to stop using her for sex, having established a secret love relationship with George, a slave. Celia's reaction is all about the only way she could act to save herself from the mess created by her slave master. Since the first rape case on Celia was her first sexual experience, it is with no doubt that she was experiencing extreme emotional trauma. The reaction that resulted in the death of the slave master is affiliated with the fact that victims of rape cases feel violated and mostly experience rage and fear.

Work Cited

McLaurin, Melton Alonza. Celia, a slave. University of Georgia Press, 1991.