Comparing Eighteenth-Century Texts on Slavery — Quiz
Question 9 • Senior English
Read the excerpt from Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African . I am sure you will applaud me for beseeching you to give one half hour's attention to slavery, as it is at this day practised in our West Indies.—That subject, handled in your striking manner, would ease the yoke (perhaps) of many— What belief does Sancho express to Sterne in this excerpt?
Answer
A
Sterne could use his writing to free many enslaved people.
B
Sterne should write a letter in support of slavery.
C
Sterne has to free some of the enslaved people who work for him.
D
Sterne needs to stop supporting slavery.
Explanation
Sancho asks Sterne to devote attention to slavery in the West Indies and says that Sterne’s “striking manner” could “ease the yoke” of many. “Ease the yoke” means lessen the burden of slavery, so Sancho believes Sterne could use his writing to help many enslaved people. The correct choice is A, that Sterne could use his writing to free many enslaved people.
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