elizabeth wilson

Posted on June 5, 2007 by aaust6yp
  1. ignorant– not knowing of the fervently preached saving power of God’s mercy seems an almost shocking realization for someone in this time period. “during her confinement she was visited by serious people of different religious demonstrations, and appeared amazingly ignorant…” This is also a very important factor to consider when thinking about the pursuit of these ministers to try and reach out to these people while imprisoned before being executed. However, it is also an interesting concept to consider when thinking in terms of God’s grace as opposed to mercy. Regardless of whether this person, for instance, Wilson, is aware of any spiritual or religious teachings, nothing is really to say that she will not go to heaven after her execution despite her unawareness and lack of sufficient knowledge in respect to what was being taught in the different denominations.
  2. dungeon– this was an interesting word choice for prison I believe. When considering what we know about dungeons as seen in history and entertainment, we can really catch a glimpse of what prison was like for the people being confined there. Also, we thinking about what all a dungeon entails, darkness, dampness, hollowness, hardness, perhaps we can also see into the minds and hearts of the prisoners that would offer some insight into why Wilson chose such a word to describe where she was being held. Furthermore, the fact that Wilson chose such a word in the context in which she used it, “the dungeon was the happiest place she ever was in her life,” suggests the reader with even more understanding of, perhaps, how bleak her life must have been before even being imprisoned.
  3. woman– although a general term, it is very relevant not only to this text but others, like Patience Boston and Esther Rodgers. Gender is something always poking the back of the mind when reading these narratives and comparing crimes with crimes. There seem to be specific crimes in which the men we are reading about seem to partake and a separate type of crime in which the woman criminal participates. In all of the narratives, including this one about Wilson, the woman is guilty of fornication, a very specific, personal, intimate crime unlike theft, counterfeiting, and thievery that can be seen as crimes committed in different degrees. In a way, this causes the woman to appear less strong, even weak. The fact that her crime would be of an intimate manner may also suggest what many may view as a submissive behavior.
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frasier

Posted on June 5, 2007 by bford

covetous – Frasier compulsion to steal as he admitted was due to a burning desire within to become rich. HInstead of attempting to do so by legitimate means the “easy” money of thievery seemed much more appropriate for his condition although he did seem to express sorrow over the fact that his life of theft had cost him his marriage. Frasier seemed to be continually getting sentencedc for his crimes but this did nothing to deter him;he mentions the whippings and debt of servitude without much disdain. Perhaps this is so because he was an accomplished runaway who had to believe the could escape before a true punishment came to fruition.

Escape – In this narrative we are given the first instance of a criminal believing he could outsmart the system. Frasier openly talks of his plans to and succese in escaping from both prison and from those who caught him red handed. He was several times able to escape formal punishment through specific arrangements made for his petty thefts. Even after he was sentenced to death he entertained thoughts of his escape which he accomplished in order to rob a number of new stores and people.

education – Frasier openly admits that he is deserving of the punishment of death. He claims that his years of mischief had hardened him and led to the more extreme acts of wickedness that cost him his life. He says that he would’ve been better served used education as a means to get ahead and true to the narratives of the time warns others not to take the same path. “…the appearance of evil, whose beginning tho’ comparatively small, yet often ends in the most gross acts of wickedness.”

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frasier

Posted on June 5, 2007 by drummerboy

unconcern – Throughout the narrative there was a non-chalant attitude and tone.  Frasier went about from town to town stealing and dealing with people in a way that often lead to his getting off without being punished.  It was this that led to his repeated acts of theft. 

inconsequence – Frasier acted without any thought or concern toward what would happen to him if caught.  This attitude was a product of him having been let off and escaping from prison time after time.  Nothing anyone could say to him would stop him from committing crimes.  He loved his lifestyle and lived it with inconsequence, until he could escape no longer.

admonishment – The narrative took the tone of a sermon towards the end.  Here Frasier began to admonish, or warn, those townspeople who were his age and younger about leading the lifestyle that he led.  He warned the parents and masters to teach their children and servants to abide by the laws commanded of them in the Bible or they too would end up suffering the same punishment he was receiving. 

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william fly

Posted on June 4, 2007 by mtt3e

Pariah- outcast, outside of social system

 

Fly operates outside of the rules of society, but the preacher writing this sermon wishes to make him a pariah (with all its negative connotations.)  He demonizes him throughout the narrative.  His refusal to repent and participate in rituals angers the preacher greatly.  He says “as for Fly, he had been all along, a most uncommon and amazing instance of impenitency and stupidity..”

 

Charity

The preacher claims that it is a “charity” to compel Fly to forgive his accusers.   It seems he wants immunity for those supposedly doing God’s work and convicting Fly.  His refusal to repent and apologize gets under their skin much more than it would if they were forcing his repentance for merely charitable reasons.

 

Pathetic

“Pathetic” seems to be a positive things in these narratives.   “A minister present having made a Pertinent and Pathetic Prayer, the Officer, willing that all that was possible might be done for their good..”  The prisoners who were more pathetic, and thus weaker than the administrators and church men involved, were favored and viewed as more godly.

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esther rodgers

Posted on June 4, 2007 by drummerboy

Regret – This subject can be viewed at from two different perspectives.  The first is the regret that one feels after having committed a crime and accepted the reality that it has happened.  The second perspective is actually regretting the action because a moral concern.  I can regret something as did Esther Rodgers at first simply because it was a bad thing to do dealing with the situation.  However if I regret something because in the end it leads me to feel that I am morally at the bottom of some moral hierarchy then there is a difference.

Acceptance – After receiving her spiritual revelation in prison, Rodgers became content with her state.  She was willing to receive the punishment that was equivocal to her sin because it was the right thing to do.  Faith played a major role in her life and also plays a major role in the lives of many convicted criminals.  As long as a person has something to base their actions on, some relief system that assures them salvation from the uncertainty of death, they are willing to accept their punishment.

Courage – “She retained an invincible courage, and yet manifested nothing that had the least Tincture of a vain glorious Confidence.” (p. 105)  Having gotten over her regret for her crime and accepted the punishment justly deserving of her crime, Rodgers found the courage to face it fearlessly.  She wasn’t afraid to die for her faith in God allowed her assurance tha as long as she was unwavering in her faith and had truly repented of her sins then her soul was to be saved.  After all this remains a major concern with all people in the world, not even just those who are sentenced to die.  But having a faith system that gave her assurance, allowed her to muster the courage to take her punishment before those people who had grown to love her through her imprisonment.

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foucault ch. 2

Posted on June 4, 2007 by aaust6yp

(this is an older post, but i had combined it with the pillars of salt post and went back to separat

the two into two individual posts.)

1. pain– suffering and distress in varying degrees of severity takes on a completely different definition in Foucault’s text. in fact, he presents pain as the foundation upon which the “technique” of torture is built. in fact, Foucault points out that in order for an act to be considered torture, it must obey three criteria, all of which pivots around pain. “it must produce a certain degree of pain,…death is a torture [if it] is the occassion and the culmination of a calculated gradation of pain,…and death-torture is the art of maintaining life in pain.” “torture rests on a whole quantitative art of pain.”

2. confession– this disclosure of information, fact or not, is presented by Foucault as the key moment in one’s right to subject another to torture. I felt like it was presented as an interesting concept seeing as the emphasis placed on the confession seems to also function as an outlet of responsiblity for those imposing torture on someone else. “a real victory for the accused…was for the criminal to accept responsibility for his own crime and himself sign what had been skillfully and obscurely constructed by the preliminary investigation…they must if possible judge and condemn themselves.” it is outwardly stated, “the confession, an act of the criminal.”

3. torture– to return to a Foucault favorite, this infliction of severe physical pain as means of punishment is actually given a completely different definition in the text. in fact, it is defined as “…not savage…a regulated practice.” i feel that this definition of the term offers a new perspective on the act. torture is so unbeknownst to our society today that hearing it defined as “not savage” is almost offensive seeing as those being tortured were humans like ourselves.

However, it puts the whole judicial system into perspective, perhaps. as we look down upon people who, hundreds of years ago, practiced torture and say they were barbarous, is it possible that they would look at penal system today and say we are cowards? Would they feel that there has been an evolution or progression in punishment like we see it? maybe two moot points, but a point nonetheless. i just find it to be very interesting that the ultimate point of the judicial system is to produce justice and that, while embracing the differences between Foucault’s time period and our own in terms of punishment, both eras felt and feel as though they were achieving the same outcome: justice; however, going about it in two polar opposite ways: torturous to humane. it is fascinating that two different peoples feel that the exact same outcome can be produced from two completely opposite acts. i digress from my main point being torture.

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john jubeart

Posted on June 4, 2007 by aaust6yp

1. instill– this idea of instillment is imperative to setting someone on a good and godly course, a main concern within the judiciary system at the time. ministers served to infuse in the mind of criminals the desire to repent of their sins and commit themselves for the rest of their time to Godly works. this passage shows, however, that instilled goodness will have an effect only if the person is submissive and desirous of doing good.

2. poverty– “poverty had urged him to deviate from the paths of virtue.” this shows the connection between class and crime. in many instances, including Jubeart, the desire to escape poverty fules the fire for wrong doing. poverty can also produce other feelings such as jealousy and lust, which, if acted upon, result in condmenation as well.

3. body– this text sheds light on the body as being a tool to escape burden. reading this text was the first time i had considered the body is such a way. “…the uncomfortable ideas with which he was perpetually haunted, he imagined, could only be alleviated by keeping himself on continual agitation of the body, by removing from one place to another.” this idea also makes the idea of torture which we have discussed at great length more understandable. since the body is the vessel used to try and escape undersirable states, often through crime, the body is then the vessel that is tormented and destroyed.

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Esther

Posted on June 4, 2007 by mtt3e

Pollution- introduction of harmful/negative substances into the environment

 

Esther says “I fell in the horrible Pit (as before) viz. carnal Pollution with the Negro man belonging to that house.”  This implies that any children born of a negro man and servant woman are not only worthless/trash, but harmful.

 

 

Peace

 

Ministers and Christians keep marveling at Esther’s peaceful state of mind, but they also keep trying to break it.  Mr. Wise questions her faith and on the way to her death bed, one minister keeps using the word “terrible.”  It seems that they are testing her peace in Christ, but it also seems that they dislike it in some way because someone so lowly as Esther should not become a “favorite” in Heaven.  Although they are trying to ensure her salvation, it also seems that, at times, they ARE trying to “clip and load” her wings of “soaring faith”.

 

 

Wages- regular payment

 

Death is described by Rogers as “the certain wages of sin.”  In each narrative small sins such as skipping Sabbath are emphasized as integral parts and predecessors to big sins like murder; Esther’s story is no exception.  The word “death” is repeated constantly in capital letters.  She warns people not to go out at night, especially not Sabbath nights.  Death become the inevitable Godly punishment for sin.   

 

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isaac frasier

Posted on June 4, 2007 by aaust6yp

1. conscience– this is the first text in wich this inner sense of right and wrong is the main focus. Frasier’s conscience was a key component in his crimes. it is also a word that helps us to under- stand the effects of an action on the mind. it links a mental state, often guilt, with a physical feeling: “upon committing these last thefts, i found what i had never experienced in all my scene of sillainy before, which was the working of a guilty conscience, whose power was so great that it forced me to recede from my wicked designs several times.”

2. flames– “i was in eminent danger of being consumed by the flames.” in this sense, frasier is speaking of the literal flames which he was responsible for creating while in prison. however, in a more spiritual sense, avoiding the horrifying idea of hell and its flaming wrath, is the main argument used by the ministers who admonish criminals like frasier, hoping to deter them from their wicked ways and persuade them of a godly path.

3. notorious– this term re-emphasizes the role of the public in the sense of crime. criminals like Frasier were known publically, scorned publically, and eventually killed publically. this article, however, broadens the role of the public from just an audience at an execution. the term notorious indicates that the public was not only aware of the criminal’s execution, they were aware of his life before he was sentenced to death due to his repution as a person.

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