1. For what purpose (s) do the slaves sing spirituals? What meaning do these songs have for them?
2. What seems to be the tone of the spiritual "Great House Farm"? Why?
3. What is the “Great House” (literally)? What could the "Great House" be a metaphor for/represent (figuratively)?
Douglass commented that he was astonished how people claimed that slaves sang because they were happy, and thus concluded that they were a happy bunch of people. A slave's woes can only be relieved by singing. It did not make sense to him to sing for happiness, only for misery.
According to Raboteau, spirituals, "presented the slave's reflection on the human condition, which masters had to endure as well as slaves." They found meaning in their religion and their songs, which can be observed the often jarring contrasts of suffering and joy in the verses. Some spirituals wistfully evinced the desire for peace and rest in the afterlife, where friends and families could meet again after their suffering was over. Raboteau concluded that "the moods of the spirituals were many – sad, triumphant, resigned, expectant, serious, and light." Even though Douglass focuses on the depressing melodies and words of the slave songs, "it is sometimes forgotten that the slaves' religion embraced a lighter side. Indeed, spirituals and shouts were performed for social occasions – on holidays, at weddings and celebrations..."
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