Question - Writers Forum

Nataanii · 05-18-2008, 09:32 AM

In the days of slavery, if a white man fell in love with a slave and wanted to marry her, is it too far feteched to put in a story that both the man-- and the slave especially, would be hunted down and/or whipped for their love for one another? Especially if the white man tried to help the slave escape slavery?

lin · 05-18-2008, 10:47 AM

I don't think that's too far-fetched at all. Especially if those hunting down were the former owner and his chums.

Who maybe wouldn't have minded enjoying her himself?

Foxee · 05-18-2008, 11:09 AM

A few thoughts.

While the idea that they might be whipped 'for their love of one another' is very romantic I don't think that would be the reason for the whipping. She would be considered a runaway and her white lover would be considered a thief. Remember, she's owned property...not a person.

Whether a white man would whip another white man in these circumstances would largely depend on whether the pursuer thought he could get away with it. While slaves had no legal protection, white men did. Take into account who this guy is and what is station in life/age, etc. is. Whose son is he? Maybe look up accounts of what happened if sympathizers who tried to free slaves were caught.

Could be a very good story but you're doing well to think carefully and research rather than risk falling into trite cliches and bodice-ripper mentality. (unless you're writing a bodice-ripper, then I can't really help you there.

)

lin · 05-18-2008, 11:27 AM

Agree..the crime is not emotion, but escaping. But aiding escape definitely a crime.

But I think the idea of a jealous ex-owner and a posse of cronies hunting the fugitives down and savaging them is entirely plausible and wouldn't even make a reader blink.

As far as the legality, this might be interesting

Quote:

At the first election (Nov. 1854), held for a delegate to Congress, some 1700 armed Missourians invaded Kansas and stuffed the ballot boxes; and this intimidation and fraud was practised on a much larger scale in the election of a Territorial legislature in March 1855. The resultant legislature (at Pawnee, later at Shawnee Mission) adopted the laws of Missouri almost en bloc, made it a felony to utter a word against slavery, made extreme pro-slavery views a qualification for office, declared death the penalty for aiding a slave to escape, and in general repudiated liberty for its opponents.,

From Kansas - LoveToKnow 1911

Ungood · 05-18-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxee

Could be a very good story but you're doing well to think carefully and research rather than risk falling into trite cliches and bodice-ripper mentality. (unless you're writing a bodice-ripper, then I can't really help you there.

)

Ok what is a "Bodice-ripper", humor and enlighten me.

Ungood.

Foxee · 05-18-2008, 11:43 AM

Go to Google, young man.

lin · 05-18-2008, 10:26 PM

Is there a male equivalent of "bodice ripping"? In gay fiction or for really assertive female characters?