The Slave Auction by Frances Ellen

Question

HiThe following stanzas are from the poem "The Slave Auction" by Frances EllenYe who have laid your loved to rest, And wept above their lifeless clay,Know not the anguish of that breast,Whose loved are rudely torn away.Ye may not know how desolateAre bosoms rudely forced to part,And how a dull and heavy weightWill press the life-drops from the heart.I wish to know what the narrator is trying to say in these stanzas!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

The narrator is telling us how painful it is to have one's spouse or child taken away—sold to a different slaveholder.

Shylesh ragu · Answer

Sorry Mr. Micawber
But can you explain to me line-vice, please

Mister Micawber · Answer

I would like to see you try that first, shylesh.  Post your line-by-line ideas here and we'll check them.

Shylesh ragu · Answer

sure
"Ye who have laid your loved to rest,
And wept above thier lifeless clay,
Know not the anguish of that breast
Whose loved are rudely torn away"
I beleive that the narrator is trying to say
"Those who have loved ones that have passed away
and have wept before their dead bodies
are nothing when compared to the slaves who have been forcefully taken away from their loved ones
I also believe that the author used
comparison-lifeless clay= slaves are compared to the dead
diction-lifeless clay=dead bodies can't reveal their feelings and emotions, similiarly the slaves could not reveal their feelings and emotions.
I also believe that the author is trying to use this stanza as a statement.

"Ye may not know how desolate
Are bosoms rudely forced to part,
And how a dull and heavy weight
Will press the life-drops from the heart."
I believe that the narrator is trying to give another statement that
"The bidders and the sellers do not know how lonely it becomes for the slaves as their feelings are forcefully taken away and how their loneliness will weaken their life."
I also believe that the author used
diction-desolate=emphazises how the slaves have to part from thier family and loved ones and also emphazises how their feelings and emotions are taken away.
hyperbole-dull and heavy weight= it over-emphazises their loneliness (I wish to know whether that line is a hyperbole or not?)
This is pretty much my interpretation of the stanzas
Can you please tell me if its wrong or not?
And if I missed anything, any important lines interpretation. Then kindly let me know.

Mister Micawber · Answer

I believe that the narrator is trying to say "Those who have loved ones that have passed away and have wept before their dead bodies are nothing when compared to the slaves who have been forcefully taken away from their loved ones. -- Yes

I also believe that the author used
comparison-lifeless clay= slaves are compared to the dead
diction-lifeless clay=dead bodies can't reveal their feelings and emotions, similarly the slaves could not reveal their feelings and emotions.-- That is an interesting and apt interpretation, though I don't think that the author went so far consciously.

I also believe that the author is trying to use this stanza as a statement.-- Of course, This is a truism.

I believe that the narrator is trying to give another statement that "The bidders and the sellers do not know how lonely it becomes for the slaves as their feelings are forcefully taken away and how their loneliness will weaken their life."--Not just the bidders and sellers, but everyone who has not been a slave. 'Desolate' does not mean 'lonely'; it means 'emotionally destroyed and exhausted'. Their feelings are not taken away; it is their loved ones.

I also believe that the author used
diction-desolate=emphazises how the slaves have to part from thier family and loved ones and also emphazises how their feelings and emotions are taken away.-- Not taken away. See above.

hyperbole-dull and heavy weight= it over-emphazises their loneliness (I wish to know whether that line is a hyperbole or not?)--It is not hyperbole;it is a true expression of the depth of their despair; it is, however, a metaphor.

Shylesh ragu · Answer

Ok
Thank you again Mister Micawber

The Slave Auction by Frances Ellen

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