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greenberg_honor_and_slavery [2026/02/20 16:31] – [Being "Unmasked"] smiltongreenberg_honor_and_slavery [2026/02/20 16:49] (current) – [The Illusion of Generosity] smilton
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 One of the most interesting points made was that slaveholders purposefully portrayed providing basic necessities as gifts to their slaves as a way to assert power because it is important to the concept of gift giving that the exchange happens between equals. If it is not actually an exchange, then the reciever is inferior. (Hannah Covin)  One of the most interesting points made was that slaveholders purposefully portrayed providing basic necessities as gifts to their slaves as a way to assert power because it is important to the concept of gift giving that the exchange happens between equals. If it is not actually an exchange, then the reciever is inferior. (Hannah Covin) 
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 +Greenberg makes a mention that a duel could be used to explain some aspects of the gifting culture for these men, since John Randolph "gifted" Henry Clay a duel as a way to hold power and honor over Clay. Randolph was "generous" to allow the duel to happen when he could have refused partaking in the duel. The act of gift-giving would have been a way for these southern men to portray the notion of power they had over the receivers. This can be seen through the duels, but also with the slaveholders gifting their slaves necessities and making it obvious that they were not only giving these "gifts" at Christmas but all-year to show their generosity and status through this action of gift -giving. (Sage Milton)
 ===== Chapter 4 - Death ===== ===== Chapter 4 - Death =====
 Greenberg introduces death as another way to reflect social status and identity. He explains that the way in which someone dies reveals whether or not they were honorable and masculine, and where someone falls within the social hierarchy. Greenberg defines an honorable death as something that is self-induced and calmly controlled, like soldiers. This version of death is very performative and works to preserve the honor, and reduce submission of the white man before his death. On the contrary, the death of slaves was way more submissive and less about the slave’s feats, identity, or masks, and more about the master and their allowance of death to occur. In addition, the death of women was seen as slow, quiet, and peaceful; the complete opposite of the death Southern white men idealized. This chapter helps to identify how death, race, and gender reflect honor status. (Reiley Gibson) Greenberg introduces death as another way to reflect social status and identity. He explains that the way in which someone dies reveals whether or not they were honorable and masculine, and where someone falls within the social hierarchy. Greenberg defines an honorable death as something that is self-induced and calmly controlled, like soldiers. This version of death is very performative and works to preserve the honor, and reduce submission of the white man before his death. On the contrary, the death of slaves was way more submissive and less about the slave’s feats, identity, or masks, and more about the master and their allowance of death to occur. In addition, the death of women was seen as slow, quiet, and peaceful; the complete opposite of the death Southern white men idealized. This chapter helps to identify how death, race, and gender reflect honor status. (Reiley Gibson)
greenberg_honor_and_slavery.1771605100.txt.gz · Last modified: by smilton