Scenes of Subjection

If emancipation is the legal liberation from enslavement, why does Hartman describe emancipated individuality as “burdened”? How is the end of slavery a burden and not a liberation?

Abolitionists relied on scenes of graphic violence in their argument against slavery. This was particularly important in the context of pro-slavery rhetoric that insisted that enslaved people had a high tolerance for pain. Abolitionists wanted to thus display enslaved pain as pain. At the same time, Hartman argues that this abolitionist reproduction of pain was itself a form of violence and that enslaved pain is too “easily” reproduced and viewed, even today. What are alternatives to this representation of pain in the study of slavery?

Hartman argues that the civil rights that were conferred with emancipation were inadequate if true liberation was to be achieved. What is the difference between emancipation from slavery and freedom? How are rights not enough?

How does Hartman challenge the historical periodization of slavery (the categorization of time periods)?

Concerns about “miscegenation” became politically “hot” after emancipation. Why were interracial sexual relations of particular relevance during this period and not during slavery?

Current discussions of slavery have argued that the use of “enslaved person” should be used instead of “slave,” emphasizing the personhood of enslaved people rather than the fact of their enslavement. Does such a rhetoric rely on the liberal humanism—and its assumption of personhood and full agency--that Hartman cautions us against?

After emancipation Black mobility was perceived by many whites as threatening. Why? Did this signify the “burdensome individuality” of freedom or the pleasure of mobility and travel?

Pro-slavery rhetoric often relied on “contented subjugation” by way of such figures as Sambo. What are the politics of this presentation of Black pleasure? If Hartman warns against the too “easy” viewing of Black pain, is the viewing of this (constructed) Black pleasure also dangerous?