Comparing Eighteenth-Century Texts on Slavery — Quiz
Question 8 • Senior English
Read the excerpt from Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African . ’Tis at the service of the afflicted,—and a much greater matter: for, in serious truth, it casts a sad shade upon the world, that so great a part of it are, and have been so long, bound in chains of darkness, and in chains of misery. What is Sterne’s purpose in this excerpt?
Answer
A
to describe slavery as just one of many different types of injustices in the world
B
to show that slavery is a terrible practice that has brought misery to too many people
C
to explain that slavery is deeply rooted in society and impossible to fight
D
to argue that sooner or later people will do the right thing and abolish slavery
Explanation
Sterne calls attention to the many people who have been “bound in chains of darkness” and “chains of misery.” This language emphasizes the suffering slavery has caused, showing that it is a terrible practice affecting too many people. The excerpt does not suggest that slavery is impossible to fight or predict when it will end.
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