Although The Slavedancer is set in the 1840's, some of the events in Chapter 1 could happen to a young boy today. For example, his family might be poor as well, a single parent trying hard to get enough food on the table.
The specific details of Jessie's poverty are unique to the 1840's in New Orleans, but the overall situation has universality. That is, people in many places and many times could experience a similar situation.
Directions
Listed below are some universal situations in The Slavedancer. Firstly recall and write down the situation from Chapter 1. Then imagine a modern person's experience in the same situation.
Universal situations:
- A boy's family is poor and his house just holds the bare necessities.
- A family member judges a boy only by his actions and not by the reasons for his actions.
- A boy misses his dead father.
- A boy is curious about what goes on in another household.
- A boy goes into a part of town where he shouldn' t be seen.
- A boy is forcibly taken away from his family.
For each of the above
a. mention the experience in the book
b. mention the modern experience
One Step Further
Choose a scene from Chapter 1 and update it by using modern language, setting and situation. While you should change external details about the characters, stay true to the author's characterizations.
Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9