Comparing Eighteenth-Century Texts on Slavery — Quiz
Question 6 • Senior English
Read the excerpt from Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African . That subject, handled in your striking manner, would ease the yoke (perhaps) of many—but if only of one—Gracious God!—what a feast to a benevolent heart!—and, sure I am, you are an epicurean in acts of charity.—You, who are universally read, and as universally admired—you could not fail—Dear Sir, think in me you behold the uplifted hands of thousands of my brother Moors.—Grief (you pathetically observe) is eloquent;—figure to yourself their attitudes;—hear their supplicating addresses!—alas!—you cannot refuse. What is Sancho’s purpose for writing?
Answer
A
to convince Sterne that he is a formerly enslaved person from the colonies
B
to convince Sterne that Africans can be religious and spiritual
C
to convince Sterne to create more characters like uncle Toby
D
to convince Sterne to write more texts against slavery
Explanation
Sancho appeals to Sterne’s influence and compassion, saying that a work on this subject could ease the suffering of many enslaved people. He asks Sterne to imagine the pleas of thousands of Sancho’s “brother Moors” and says Sterne “cannot refuse.” This shows Sancho’s purpose is to persuade Sterne to write more against slavery, not to prove Sancho’s identity or discuss African spirituality.
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