To Be a Slave in Brazil, 1550-1888

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Summary: TO BE A SLAVE IN BRAZIL
Review: The roots and leaves of the institution of slavery in Brazil, is what this book focuses on. We travel the trade route from Africa to England to South America. Katia M. de Queiros Mattoso's goal is to show us that, contrary to popular belief, the new slaves who were ripped from their homeland were "docile" and " ready to accept their new status as slaves" (85). She brings us into a world that shows no matter what the slaves were, they were not faceless, emotionless savages the Europeans wanted to reduce them to.
Mattoso's coverage of three centuries is an attempt to encompass the truth of slavery, not the "assumed" myth of so many other scholars (85). Wonderfully organized and thought provoking, she shows us a world few have seen, so that we may see the truth. She avoids the overbearing this is how it is, and that is that, statements by giving us human images, their motivations and encounters that a slave would have likely run across
and have experienced.
The arguments that Mattoso offers are very persuasive to readers because she appeals to our sense of humanity. Mattoso shows us tables, statistics, historical documentation and finally puts all of these into a person whom we can relate. The goal to show that slaves were an integral part of the society in which they lived begins to take shape as a sound theory later in the book. For example in chapter five we see slaves in Brazil taking part in many activities, from skilled work to common tasks such as the education of children and family life. This range of activities shows just how engrained slaves were in their new society, for the children their only society.
To Be a Slave in Brazil shows us the many thoughts and going-ons that happened throughout the slave trade. The book introduces us to the New World as aslave and slave owner would see it, not as how we fantasize it was. There are truths and facts to support these claims made by Mattoso. Written for all, she uses all sources available, both familiar and original, and manages to put a new spin on an old tale.Students and scholars alike should put this book on their to do list