Question

A slave warehouse! Perhaps some of my readers conjure up horrible visions of such a place. They fancy some foul, obscure den, some horrible Tartarus "infromis, ingens, cui lumen ademptum." But no, innocent friend; in these days men have learned the art of sinning expertly and genteelly, so as not to shock the eyes and sense of respectable society. Human property is high in the market; and is, therefore, well fed, well cleaned, tended, and looked after, that it may come to sale sleek, and strong, and shining. A slave-warehouse in New Orleans is a house externally not much unlike many others, kept with neatness; and where every day you may see arranged, under sort of shed along the outside, rows of men and women, who stand there as a sign of the property sold within. Then you shall be courteously entreated to call and examine, and shall find an abundance of husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and young children, to be "sold separately, or in lots to suit the convenience of the purchaser;" and that soul immortal, once bought with blood and anguish by the Son of God, when the earth shook, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened, can be sold, leased, mortgaged, exchanged for groceries or dry goods, to suit the phases of trade, or the fancy of the purchaser. Discuss how the author uses verbal irony in the passage above. Use specific evidence. Your response should be at least 150 words long.

Answer 1

The author uses verbal irony to underline the striking contrast between human dignity and the fact that they are being exhibited and sold like cattle, or a commodity. When he/she says that "men have learned the art of sinning expertly and genteelly, so as not to shock the eyes and sense of respectable society", the irony is that the sin doesn't seem to be a sin if it is polished and done in a way that the fine society considers acceptable. In other words, if you are selling humans, you'd better make sure they are nice and clean, or else someone might judge you. When talking about the "human property", the author uses words and expressions such as "well fed, well cleaned, tended, and looked after, that it may come to sale sleek, and strong, and shining" - these expressions could well be used to describe a horse. The author purposefully conjures this resemblance, so as the reader would understand the treatment of the slaves. A visitor will be "courteously entreated to call and examine, and shall find an abundance of husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and young children" - everything is so well organized for the business to flourish, to the utmost satisfaction of both the customer and the seller. "An abundance" is another ironic expression that draws a parallel between people and cattle, or a merchandise.

Answer 2

Answer:The creator uses verbal irony to underline the striking distinction between human dignity and the reality that they are being exhibited and offered like cattle, or a commodity. When he/she says that "men have learned the artwork of sinning expertly and genteelly, so as not to shock the eyes and feel of first rate society", the irony is that the sin does not seem to be a sin if it is polished and executed in a way that the fantastic society considers acceptable. In other words, if you are selling humans, you'd higher make sure they are best and clean, or else someone may choose you. When speaking about the "human property", the writer makes use of phrases and expressions such as "well fed, properly cleaned, tended, and appeared after, that it can also come to sale sleek, and strong, and shining" - these expressions could properly be used to describe a horse. The writer purposefully conjures this resemblance, so as the reader would understand the treatment of the slaves. A tourist will be "courteously urged to call and examine, and shall locate an abundance of husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and younger children" - everything is so nicely equipped for the commercial enterprise to flourish, to the utmost pleasure of each the patron and the seller. "An abundance" is some other ironic expression that attracts a parallel between humans and cattle, or a merchandise.

Explanation: