Portraying Racial Attitudes In Historical Settings

Elias Graves · Feb 18, 2010

If the subject becomes necessary to broach, how do you handle it? I have an otherwise sympathetic protagonist...an otherwise nice guy. Views on race in 15th century England were somewhat different than today and even "respectable" people had some views that we consider pretty barbaric today. Is it best to try to avoid them, portray them realistically and as "matter of fact" or present the character in a less real light with a more "modern" racial outlook?

EG

Chris P · Feb 18, 2010

Seems like it would depend on how much time you want to spend defending your word choice. Look at the controversy Huckleberry Finn still stirs up from time to time.

The question I would ask is: "Will the reader notice if I don't use the word?" Probably not. I would still love Huck Finn and see it as authentic even if Twain hadn't used the n-word. Perhaps portraying the attitudes without using certain words might be the way to go.

Sirius · Feb 18, 2010

How does the situation arise? I mean, 15th century England regarded anything outside its immediate boundaries as irredeemably alien (in fact, this parochialism extended into the 18th and 19th centuries; the people of Hartlepool are still known as the "ones who hung the monkey" when a pet ape escaped from a merchant ship and was hung on suspicion of being a French spy) but, on the other hand, there's a very small non-white population and that predominantly in seaports.

Personally, I detest historical fiction where the MCs are saddled with a whole slew of anachronistic attitudes to sex, race, class and sexuality because the author's worried about being thought to endorse attitudes simply by depicting them, but, on the other hand, there isn't any need to go too far the other way when it's so far back; for example, a lot of the cruder racial/eugenic theory only emerged in the 19th century, and was a hardening of attitudes on the back of colonialism from earlier tolerance.

Mind you, casual cruelty and outright religious bigotry were rampant; your hero might be relatively tolerant to a Moor as a man, but loathe the very thought of islam.

Elias Graves · Feb 18, 2010

I have two potential situations in my WIP. First is a local parish priest who encouters an Ethiopian. I'm just getting started on my research on that one but I'm fairly certain an indiviual with skin THAT dark is going to draw some attention, not all of it good. The character keeps himself covered head to toe most of the time to avoid being noticed, but it happens.

The other situation is that same priest encountering a Jew. 15th century attitudes towards Jews weren't exactly friendly, but the priest is going to be forced to work with a Jew to accomplish some things. Their initial meetings will not likely be very nice. Eventually they come to terms but Christians of that era had some pretty dim views of Judaism.

EG

Chris P · Feb 18, 2010

Elias Graves said:
I have two potential situations in my WIP. First is a local parish priest who encouters an Ethiopian. I'm just getting started on my research on that one but I'm fairly certain an indiviual with skin THAT dark is going to draw some attention, not all of it good. The character keeps himself covered head to toe most of the time to avoid being noticed, but it happens.

The other situation is that same priest encountering a Jew. 15th century attitudes towards Jews weren't exactly friendly, but the priest is going to be forced to work with a Jew to accomplish some things. Their initial meetings will not likely be very nice. Eventually they come to terms but Christians of that era had some pretty dim views of Judaism.

EG

Remember, though, that Ethiopia has been a Christian kingdom since ancient times; King Ezana converted at about the same time as Constantine. Although not in communion with Rome, the religion of the Ethiopian is likely to be less of an issue than is his skin color (as it seems you know already). In your research, look for info the Prester John legends. This would have been very much on the mind of people at the time your story takes place.

As you describe it, you can make the priest as pinheaded as you want; he's a faulted individual who comes to terms with his attitudes. Sometimes extreme examples are the best way to illustrate some of the more subtle points we want to make.

Elias Graves · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks for the tip.
My priest isn't exactly pinheaded, however, he will be a product of his times, ya know?

The Epthiopian presents the bigger challenge for me. The work in question is a fantasy piece and the indiviual is actually an Ethiopian (though I use the term loosely since at the time of his birth, Ethiopia went by a different name) Roman freed slave. He comes into my story in the year AD 64 and is actually a pagan who converted to Christianity after his owner met Peter and Paul in Rome. He has been demon hunting for 1500 years and his view of Christianity is one of a very early convert and he has some differing opinions on the matter than the priest.

That's a philosophical matter, though. My biggest concern is how every day Britons of the time (1500) would react to an African. I haven't found a lot of information on that subject. I suppose it wasn't a very common sight so I'm not sure if there would even be a prevailing attitude toward Africans.

EG

Elias Graves · Feb 18, 2010

I hadn't considered the Presor John legend before. That's very helpful.
This could, in fact, be extremely valuable, as the priest, surely having knowledge of this legend, might equate my Ethiopian slave with the same person. The priest will have n knowledge of the slave's past or origins at first, save the obvious color of his skin and his knowledge that Ethiopia was a powerful Christian nation. This might be the "in" I needed. Fortunate coincidence, however, I will take full advantage of it.

EG

Chris P · Feb 18, 2010

Ah! The thought plickens!

Elias Graves said:
That's a philosophical matter, though. My biggest concern is how every day Britons of the time (1500) would react to an African. I haven't found a lot of information on that subject. I suppose it wasn't a very common sight so I'm not sure if there would even be a prevailing attitude toward Africans.

EG

In 1500, England was not quite on the exploration bandwagon, and in fact the famous Spanish Armada battle (cited as the start of English sea supremacy) wasn't until 1588. The Portuguese and Spanish were very much in control of the seas before this. The short answer is, the English would have had MUCH less exposure to Africans than would have Mediterranean peoples.

I wish I had direct references for you, but "Africa: a Biography of a Continent" by John Reader might help, as might "Rise and Fall of the British Empire" by Lawrence James.

Elias Graves · Feb 18, 2010

Thanks again. I feel I will have to piece together sources the best I can then formulate my own take and run with it. Given that attitudes, while prevalent, are seldom universal, there will be some room for interpretation.

EG

Puma · Feb 18, 2010

I'd also mention El Cid as a source for seeing how references to Moors was handled (can't remember whether there were references to skin color) and I'd mention Ivanhoe as a resource for references to the Jew - written much later, but ...

I'm sure there are other possible resources too. Have to think about it. Puma

Ariella · Feb 18, 2010

Keep in mind that racism as it's known in the West today owes quite a bit to the sixteenth-century theologian Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda and his ideas about native Americans. Before the colonization of the New World, it's harder to find examples of historical people ranking others in terms of race. A fifteenth-century Englishman might consider an Ethiopian physically ugly; he might suspect him of being a Saracen and be even more shocked that there is such a 'heresy' as Coptic Christianity, but he would be unlikely to assume that the Ethiopian and all his descendants were naturally inferior based solely on their race.

What you may want to look at is the introductory chapter of a book on the history of racism. There's one here, which you may or may not have access to read, depending on where in the world you are.

Manuel Royal · Feb 18, 2010

What part of the 15th century is it? Spain evicted all its Jews (in theory) in 1492. Many of them emigrated to Turkey, which was friendlier to Jews than most places in Europe.

In England, there's virtually no record of Jews between 1290, when Edward I ordered them out of the country, and 1655. But even without actual Jews around to persecute, anti-Jewish images remained part of the popular culture. (Like the persistent idea that Jews just love desecrating the Host, and do it every chance they get.)

If I recall, the Portuguese went looking for Prester John's kingdom in the late 15th C. They had missionaries in Ethiopia.

Elias Graves · Feb 18, 2010

Right now I'm using 1500 as a date though that may be revised backward somewhat due to research.
The Jew may be in or out. I'll have to see what the story needs. Peter (the Apostle) has a role early in the story and he may serve that purpose.
The story takes place in three different time periods. First century Rome, 1st century Britannia, 15th century Britain and a wrap up in modern times in an as yet undecided location.

EG

donroc · Feb 18, 2010

While researching for Rocamora, my novel of 17th century Spain and Amsterdam, I found plenty of documented perjorative racial comments regarding those with even the least amount of Jewish and Moorish blood. A typical quote from Lope de Vega: "I am a man, pure of blood, and never stained by Hebrew or Moor." Some added " and recent converts."

I included those comments in my novel. If anyone chooses to be offended, too bad so sad.

Kitti · Feb 18, 2010

If you stay around the 1500 mark instead of moving backwards, you might want to also consider looking into the barbary corsairs. They raided as far north as England and Ireland; Brits from coastal areas lived in terror of being raided and dragged off into slavery in north Africa. The first book I can think of, off the top of my head, is Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters by Robert C. Davis.

BTW: equally good but too late for your purposes is Linda Colley's Captives, which starts at the year 1600.

Sirius · Feb 19, 2010

With regard to "pure blood" Ferdinand and Isabella introduced the limpieza de sangre statutes into Spain during the 15th century as part of their campaign to eliminate the Moorish and Jewish elements of Spanish society,
so Lope de Vega was presumably not merely making a statement as to his racial purity, but as to the legal consequences which went with that.

Elias Graves · Feb 19, 2010

Very helpful information all. I do appreciate it.
You all have sent me in a couple of directions I hadn't considered and I've cleared one or two points up as well.

EG

donroc · Feb 19, 2010

Sirius said:
With regard to "pure blood" Ferdinand and Isabella introduced the limpieza de sangre statutes into Spain during the 15th century as part of their campaign to eliminate the Moorish and Jewish elements of Spanish society,
so Lope de Vega was presumably not merely making a statement as to his racial purity, but as to the legal consequences which went with that.

"One drop of Jewish blood is enough to pollute." Archbishop Ribera ca. 1600.

The limpieza statutes codified Spanish racism. Obsession with purity of blood was more than a legal "nicety" in Spain. Jewish converts and their descendants were known as new-Christians, even if it became known they had a Jewish great-grandparent. In 1609 Christian Moriscos were expelled same as the Jews in 1492 mostly because they were outbreeding the limpio Spaniards.

Fortunately one could forge documents to prove one was limpio -- no birth certificates and computers in those days.

Lope de Vega was a Familiar of the Inquisition.

Libbie · Feb 19, 2010

I read historical fiction for the feeling of immersion in other cultures. Often, attitudes and beliefs we call ignorant today were the norm back then. I feel pretty strongly that it is important to depict the setting and characters as realistically as possible, but other readers and writers may feel differently. Other readers and writers like historical fiction for its various other benefits, and that's okay, too.

Do what feels natural and correct to you. You won't make every reader happy, of course. You may piss off a few. You can only be sure of making yourself happy. If it makes you happier to depict a character in the way he probably would have been back then, go for it. If it makes you happier to create a character that is more accessible and sympathetic to modern readers, go for it. Both options are equally legitimate.

Manuel Royal · Feb 19, 2010

I hate when a historical fiction has the sympathetic characters amazingly enlightened for their time. It's the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman syndrome.

Elias Graves · Feb 19, 2010

Libbie said:
I read historical fiction for the feeling of immersion in other cultures. Often, attitudes and beliefs we call ignorant today were the norm back then. I feel pretty strongly that it is important to depict the setting and characters as realistically as possible, but other readers and writers may feel differently. Other readers and writers like historical fiction for its various other benefits, and that's okay, too.

Do what feels natural and correct to you. You won't make every reader happy, of course. You may piss off a few. You can only be sure of making yourself happy. If it makes you happier to depict a character in the way he probably would have been back then, go for it. If it makes you happier to create a character that is more accessible and sympathetic to modern readers, go for it. Both options are equally legitimate.

I guess what I'm trying to decide is how far to go with it. Huck Finn portrays things that seemed entirely normal to them but are shocking today whereas modern historical novels often provide that "flavor" without being so over the top. I'm trying to find that balance between realistic and overboard.

EG

Shakesbear · Feb 19, 2010

Try reading Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice - Shylock is sympathetically portrayed and the Christians are not very nice at all. Also Christopher Marlowe's Jew of Malta.

London was a major trading centre and people from many different cultures came and went - some of the ports on the east coast of England were also major ports - though maybe not as big as London.

Dr. Roderigo Lopez was doctor to Elizabeth I, you may find this of interest:
http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/eng/lfletcher/venice/papers/lsanders.htm

TheVirtual Jewish Library - http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vjw/England.html has some interesting 'stuff' as well.

cooeedownunder · Feb 19, 2010

I had the same thoughts when I first starting writing a particular WIP and I decided to portray people and human nature of the times realistically, and not to dwell, nor attemt to justify or explain any terms or phrases that are considered racist today. The majority of some societies didn't think there was anything racist in their behaviour and their behaviour was directly related to their beliefs and current understanding of the world.

If a modern day reader should become offended that the past wasn't as open minded or as tolerant as some societies today and angered or annoyed that an author dared ignored what is today considered politically correct, than perhaps they shouldn't read historicals that aim to portray the life and times accurately.

tasha43055 · Feb 20, 2010

cooeedownunder said:
I had the same thoughts when I first starting writing a particular WIP and I decided to portray people and human nature of the times realistically, and not to dwell, nor attemt to justify or explain any terms or phrases that are considered racist today. The majority of some societies didn't think there was anything racist in their behaviour and their behaviour was directly related to their beliefs and current understanding of the world.

If a modern day reader should become offended that the past wasn't as open minded or as tolerant as some societies today and angered or annoyed that an author dared ignored what is today considered politically correct, than perhaps they shouldn't read historicals that aim to portray the life and times accurately.

Nice post! I wrote a historical young adult novel. It takes place were to use a racial slur would not have been frowned upon. (1860's) In the book though, I only used the word 2 times. This helps a lot.

Shakesbear · Feb 20, 2010

cooeedownunder said:
I had the same thoughts when I first starting writing a particular WIP and I decided to portray people and human nature of the times realistically, and not to dwell, nor attemt to justify or explain any terms or phrases that are considered racist today. The majority of some societies didn't think there was anything racist in their behaviour and their behaviour was directly related to their beliefs and current understanding of the world.

If a modern day reader should become offended that the past wasn't as open minded or as tolerant as some societies today and angered or annoyed that an author dared ignored what is today considered politically correct, than perhaps they shouldn't read historicals that aim to portray the life and times accurately.

Totally agree with you.

Portraying Racial Attitudes In Historical Settings

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