The Deliverance from Traditional Black Writings
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Oxherding Tale is a slave narrative that is unlike conventional black novels. Charles Johnson transforms the traditional black writings into a form of literature that provides meaning, existence, and freedom to blacks in literature. These traditional writings are what Johnson calls “protest novels” that relate to the hardships, racism, and the oppression placed on blacks (Johnson IX). Johnson feels that these novels are not focusing on significant points and should focus more on blacks experiencing spiritual and mental freedom regardless of enslavement. The characters who obtain freedom are adaptive and submissive, being able to give up their present notions of the self to gain a more purified form of the self, which serves as their source of existence. The static, fixed characters are consumed with their personal beliefs and unresponsive to others in their surroundings. This self-absorbed demeanor prevents them from being adaptive to their experiences. The self is not found, and therefore, existence will never occur.
History is presented in the novel indirectly through the lives of the characters, and the experiences they undergo mark historical events. The mindset of the characters also makes up experiences, which construct history. The uprising of the slaves at Cripplegate is an example of how experiences can yield historical events. George was one of the slaves that escaped after the rebellion, and after his escape, the Soulcatcher captured and killed him (Johnson 174). The uprising of the slaves is a historical event that determined the fate of George and other slaves (Johnson 65). History is also presented in the form of slave narratives, which provides a first-person account of life as a slave. Slave narratives allow slaves to convey their feelings about living in enslavement. These narratives are valuable resources in understanding the experiences and the state of mind of slaves.
History is presented in Oxherding Tale because of incitement from the twelfth century Buddhist painting “Ten Oxherding Pictures.” In this painting, a young man searches for an ox that disappears, allegorical for the disappearance of the self. Andrew Hawkins, one of the characters in search of the self, can only exist through his connection to history (Johnson 152). The self is a product of experience, and existence can only be attained by allowing experiences to reshape the self. Characters that possess adaptive characteristics perceive their experiences and are willing to give way to changes in the self. Static or fixed characters are unable to achieve existence or spiritual freedom because of their failure to respond to their experiences. Their self-centered way of life also prevents them for achieving existence.
George is a living contradiction by his thoughts and actions. George tells Andrew not to pass for a white, and he places the fate of the black race on Andrews shoulders:
“You could pass,” he said, “if you wanted to. But if you did, itd be like turnin your back on me and everthin I believes inWhatever you do, Hawk–it pushes the Race forward, or pulls us back…If you fail, everything we been fightin for fails with you. Be yself” (Johnson 21).
George ends by telling Andrew to be himself, which contradicts everything he had previously told him. Contradiction is also evident in his beliefs concerning Black Nationalism. George tells Andrew about the rising of the African empire, and says that the African empire of kings and queens will rise again greater than anywhere in Europe (Johnson 21). Contrary to his ramblings of the advancement of Africa, he believes that slavery is reduced to skin color and accepts his inferiority of being a slave. George allows his pain to define his being, which allowed the Soulcatcher to capture him.
Andrew and Reb both possess adaptive characteristics and allow their experiences to modify the self. This change purifies the self, which guides them to existence and spiritual freedom. The fluidity of Andrew can be seen in his staying at Levaithan. In order for Andrew to learn the sexual desires of Flo Hatfield, he has to transform the self to adapt to these new experiences (Johnson 64). In contrast, Reb portrays his adaptability to experiences in a different way. Reb lost his wife, Lucy, and daughter, Biddy, to pellagra. Before Biddy died, Reb had to beg for money in order to pay for a doctor to treat Biddy. Unfortunately, his actions failed until another beggar enlightened him on the ways of not only begging, but on life in general. He told Reb that in order to get what he wants he must act as if he does not want or desire anything (Johnson 76). Reb then surrenders and accepts his future of uncertainty. All of his future actions involve sacrifice, and he detaches himself from material objects, as well as loved ones, because of the ambiguity life brings life (Johnson 76).
The historical moment presented in the novel is founded upon a set of beliefs in which black people are inferior and are justifiably enslaved because of the mental limitations blacks have. These