The slave narrative genre steadily evolved from being perceived as merely abolitionist and religious pamphlets to serious literary works as their publications increased throughout the 19th century. What the slave narrative signifies is the preserving of the American slave experience as well as the abolitionist movement within the nation. The narratives also follow a certain structure by frequently including religion, textual mediation, and the travel narrative as trademarks of the genre. Yet another common trait of the slave narrative is that it is most commonly autobiographical. By employing real-life stories, the ex-slaves could provide strong evidence in supporting abolition.Because of the rich historical value they contain, slave narratives are the subject of study even today.
Henry Bibb's narrative is truly an embodiment of the best that the slave narrative has to offer. Following the footsteps of previous authors, Bibb incorporates religion, the travel narrative, autobiography, and textual mediation into his narrative. By using these specific elements in his work, Bibb took part in a tradition of writing for the freedom of the bonded and the promotion of the abolition of slavery.
Throughout Bibb's narrative, the presence of Christianity is never far from the reader. Pronounced as being a pious man himself, Bibb includes instances of personal religious experiences as well as the manner in which religion helped to motivate him.At one point in the narrative, Bibb's Christian character is brought up as being the reason he won't escape his master anymore if purchased by another slaveholder. In writing of his master, Bibb states, "He tried to speculate on my Christian character. He tried to make it appear that I was so pious and honest that I would not run away for ill treatment; which was a gross mistake, for I never had religion enough to keep me from running away from slavery in my life" (497). Bibb resorts to Christianity as a form of liberation and frequently alludes to the Divine as the source of his occasional good fortune.
The textual mediation provides for a small but necessary aspect of the slave narrative. Bibb's textual mediation is derived from abolitionist Lucius C. Matlack. While mostly obscure outside of Bibb's introduction, Matlack provides for the 'permission' needed for Bibb to communicate with the white audience. In vouching fr Bibb, Matlack writes, "Very few men present in their written composition, so perfect a transcript of their style as is exhibited by Mr. Bibb" (427). With these words, it was understood that Bibb's narrative was safe enough for whites to read.
The travel narrative is a heavy influence while reading Bibb's work. Bibb is frequently escaping and traveling throughout his narrative. In fact, Bibb is so good at escaping his frequent pursuers that he writes, "Among other good trades I learned the art of running away to perfection" (442). Bibb escapes the South frequently and no matter how many times he is recaptured throughout his narrative, his story always returns to scenes of traveling. Among his many stories, one of his most exciting would be when he and his wife and child attempt to escape their master but are surrounded by wolves they narrowly escape. They are finally confronted by their seekers after a terrible maze through the cane breaks and that story ends only to be followed by another similar account of another exciting escape.
The most personable aspect of the slave narrative as is expressed through Bibb's work is the autobiographical significance of having his voice guiding his own story. Bibb is able to present his life to the reader in such a fashion that anyone reading his story will be in his corner by the end of the narrative. It is this outreach to the common humanity we share as a human race that makes these narratives, and especially Henry Bibb's narrative, so effective at conveying their thoughts and opinions. It is by means of the reader's granted ability to re-live with the author his/her personal experiences and gain a sense of familiarity and warmth toward that person.
Through these examples and many more, Henry Bibb's narrative is as successful as the narratives of his contemporaries when it comes to expressing his message and molding public opinion. Bibb fully controls the slave narrative genre and successfully manages to publish an outlook on history that will last and last.
Picture courtesy of http://library.plymouth.edu/read/322518
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