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| Thuso Mbedu as Cora |
There are some "tutor texts" amidst the jumble, particularly Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861); Frederick Douglass's Narrative, but there are many others. Historical events bubble up to the surface of time like poisoned oil, among them the infamous "Tuskegee Experiment," where African-Americans with latent syphilis were, for forty years (1932-1972) given pretend "treatments" by the U.S. Public Health Service, while more than 100 study participants died of the disease and its complications. Not all the incidents come from American history either; there are overtones of the Nazi persecution and extermination of Jews, as well as the slave rebellion against the Roman Empire led by Spartacus in 73 BC. But the worst of these permutations are home-grown, and in them the past of the United States comes back to haunt these grounds; even Cora's ultimate journey -- apparently one on the Oregon Trail -- is woven out of that braid.
I'm also asking everyone to watch at least the first episode of Barry Jenkins' adaptation of the novel, which is available from our corporate overlords at Amazon -- if you happen to have a Student Prime membership or trial membership, it's free.
Tess Collins
ReplyDeleteColson Whitehead did a beautiful job of portraying Cora’s story and it served as such an epitome for the wide range of appalling hardships that the black community faced while slavery was legal in the United States. I found myself tearing up multiple times throughout the course of the novel as I read about hurdle after hurdle that Cora had to overcome. It seemed as though by the end of the novel she had lost everybody she’d ever loved: Lovey, Caesar, Royal, and many others. I just kept waiting for her to catch a break and find peace, but although it came in pockets, it never ever lasted. My heart broke for Cora and the ways that injustice kept manifesting in her life. Her experiences were wildly different in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana. However, in every state the color of her skin and her identity as a slave (or a runaway) put her at an extreme disadvantage and incited violence and chaos. Each white person in power followed their own sets of rules and Cora was subjected to them no matter where she went. As she pointed out in the text, “There was no recourse, were no laws but the ones rewritten every day.” (pg. 16)
I found the TV series adaptation of “The Underground Railroad” to be very well-produced, albeit hard to watch. It was certainly gruesome and heart breaking to witness the horrors of Cora’s story on screen, but I thought that every actor did a brilliant job of portraying their role and the costumes, set designs, and production value were outstanding. I also thought the plot aligned with the novel really well. Although I only have seen the first episode so far, I could already recognize exact lines of dialogue and events from the book. I like when film adaptations do their original books justice and I thought this one definitely did just that.
I think the saddest and most frustrating trope of human history if how we so quickly become slaves to the weight of the past and the evil of thinking anything is just one thing. Your comments about the changing rules reminded me of the way Ridgway talks of things in such simple terms. And how the masses seek such also through people like Trump. Hitler, or other demagogues of simplicity were the inherent chaos of human interactions is reduced to nationality, race, gender or other simple terms. And those like Cora only seek peace and are denied it under the weight of that wish for simply answers and the weight of us versus them. How many facets does evil have from the brutality of were Cora starts to the lie of North Carolina. The ideal of Indiana and Royal. Peace is such a fragile thing and this book and the series shows so well its end(s).
DeleteThe above comment Brian Gilbert^
DeleteBrian Gilbert
ReplyDeleteReading the remainder of the book and watching the series brought me back to the pages of Slaughter House 5 and The Handmaids Tale. The thread that connects all of them is the seeming inevitability of chaos and ruin and how the efforts of good people are defined by unending toil. But so are those of bad people. And in the end like the burned ruin of the Tennessee valley nature and time has their way. Cora's time in South Carolina and its inevitable revelations as just another kind of slavery and abuse cast as a reflection of the Eugenics movement and Tuskegee Syphilis Study. One of the more compelling relationships in the book is the one between Ridgeway and Cora. Ridgeway is a example of a amoral character driven by a wish for order through violence and his statement about the "logic" of the system of slavery and Cora and Caesar representing a violation of that order which requires correction is a prime illustration of the institution of evil. The character of Homer was a chilling example of the adaptation of individuals in such a environment. When Homer shackles himself to the wagon so he can sleep. That was intense and a prime example of adaptation to conditions most Americans cannot fathom surviving. The Amazon series is a prime example of how adept the entertainment industry has become in rendering the inhumanity and horrors that humans visit on one another. The cold and uncaring gaze of a man who sees other humans as nothing but objects of desire and ownership or simple transactions of economics and material value. I find the most interesting aspect of Cora's story to be the nuance rendered of how the evil of slavery seeps into the grain of places and people and how the way different characters view their situation and the lives of those around them evolves along a trajectory born of their own needs and wants. And often in denial of the reality as much as possible. The character of Ethel is a example of how people adapt in a world were other humans are less then in the eyes of the greater society. Justifying their treatment through scripture or the idea that they are only in such a state through their own limitations as opposed to the imposed limitation of those in power. Something we continue to struggle with in America and the world.
I never thought about the connection between The Underground Railroad, Slaughter House 5 and The Handmaids Tale but you are absolutely right. Also I agree with the fact that the entertainment industry has really upped their game with how they capture exact details on camera. When you read the book you can almost picture what is happening in your head, but when you actually watch it real time on screen, it almost feels like you are actually there with them and it is crazy how even the actors in the film actually show how brutal that time was. It is almost as if the white characters in the show really did not care about the African Americans. It makes me wonder what the actors actually had to go through to display such horror.
DeleteI had researched the "Tuskegee Experiment" in a past course and decided to focus on that and the television film "Miss Evers' Boys" in comparison. It is no secret that human experiments have been part of the health care field for centuries. In my opinion after watching this movie the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, which ran for 40 years in Alabama, is one of the most awful and deceiving of all.
ReplyDeleteBy watching this film it showed me another way how racial disparity has affected the black community. It is disappointing to see how these men suffered and died from a disease that available treatment was available five years after the study began. As I watched the film, I kept thinking that if these were white men the government would have ensured that, as promised, once treatment was available they would have been among the first to be treated.
I was reading in another class about how research has pointed towards the diabetes and high blood pressure issues among African Americans may be connected to genetic changes wrought by generations of abuse and emotional and physical trauma.
DeleteThe first episode of the series from the start shows a great depiction of the novel. While the first episode is very grim it truly shows every single thing that was happening during the moment in time. Thuso Mbedu does an amazing job at portraying Cora’s character. In the first couple of minutes of the episode in the scene where the little boy is going to be beat by the white men, Cora steps in and takes it herself. That scene was so chilling and it all just came to life for me finally seeing it after reading. One big thing that caught my attention was the final few scenes of the episode where Caesar and Cora were running away. The two don’t say much and just run through the field but it speaks many words that the novel just could not when reading it. Even the look on Cora’s face when the white man helping them escape said, “ Every white man for a hundred miles wants to mount your head’s on a fence” makes the feeling’s of Cora so evident for the viewer.
ReplyDeletePaige Francis
ReplyDeleteJust like a rollercoaster, this story has many unknown twists and turns. I feel like with every chapter I am shocked with how the storyline plays out. Being able to actually watch what i read really helped put an image in my head with what was happening. I feel Cora’s character was captured really really well in the show. Watching her from the beginning of the first episode on, and having to see her go through what she went through, was so heart wrenching but at the same time very motivating because even through everything, she still fought for her freedom and became an incredible character.
The remainder of the book really threw me for a loop. I thought after making it to South Carolina, they would at least have a second to breathe however, they were doomed from the start. When the “night riders” ever came into town, I knew it was a bad sign. Poor Cora ended up all on her own and I couldn’t help but keep wondering what happened to Caesar. She then makes her way into North Carolina which I knew from old history classes, was not a welcoming state to African Americans. Once again, I had no idea that the town would be so against them that they would have a festival every weekend just to burn slaves alive in front of the whole town. I honestly did not think that Cora was going to make it out of that state alive. Her drive and determination is really inspiring. She never gives up on anything she wants to achieve. At the end of the story it seems like Cora makes it to freedom however I learned with this book, you honestly can’t assume anything. This is 100 percent a book that I am going to recommend to my friends and family. I am also going to continue watching the show because even though I already know what happens, I would still like to see how the characters in the show will portray their roles throughout.
Olivia Bradstreet
DeleteI agree that Cora's drive and determination is quite inspiring with everything she has been through and achieved so far.
Olivia Bradstreet '
ReplyDeleteAfter finishing the novel, I am so glad we were assigned to read it. The Underground Railroad is a book everyone should read and discuss, because it’s so raw and filled with such strength and emotions that everyone reading it will take away something from it.
After watching the first episode of Barry Jenkins’ adaption of the novel, it makes the book really come to life. For example, Cora’s character has such strength, determination, love, and hope that you can feel through the screen. Not only that, but actually seeing what happens to Cora and the other characters is very sad and disturbing to think that this stuff really happened. Being free should never come with a price, and it hurts to think of what Cora had to go through to try and gain the freedom she desired. Overall, I think I will continue watching the other episodes and I would definitely recommend others watch it as well.
Shannon Duckworth
ReplyDeleteReading the remainder of the book, and then seeing it come to life on screen gave me the chills. The actors really portrayed their characters amazing. I have watched the first three parts of the series and they did a very good job bringing the novel to life. There have been many scenes that were very had to watch and read. Since the beginning it was clear Cora was a strong woman, it was not easy seeing what she and the people beside her had to go through. She looses so many people she loves but continues to push forward. It is horrifying to read and watch what people were capable of doing to others during that time. This is a very powerful show, but an even more powerful novel.
Karina Nunez
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the first episode I thought the acting was phenomenal I couldn’t differentiate if the actors felt any remorse to how the African Americans were being treated during that horrific time. It almost makes you wonder if certain aspects of the filming were too brutal for some actors to film as they were portraying these characters. As a viewer I was completely mortified after being able to visually see what I’ve read from the book being put on screen. Throughout the story we embark on Cora’s journey and it wasn’t an easy one. She has been through it all and with time it just kept getting worse and worse for her. When she escapes from Georgia and makes it to South Carolina I felt a brief relief since South Carolina was somewhat of a free state where African Americans can live freely but with conditions. Over time you notice that’s not the case. The government is experimenting with these women to stop them from conceiving as well as killing off the men slowly forcing Cora and Caesar to run away aside from Ridgeway the slave catcher finding them. When Cora runs away leaving Caesar behind involuntarily my heart breaks for her having to once again escape from being captured and leaving Caesar not knowing his fate. Which later on you read that sadly he was killed. This book not only tells Cora’s story and those she encounters but also gives you an idea of how different states handled slavery and The black population as a whole. As uncomfortable as it is to sometimes read how ignorant and thoughtless people were during that era it’s important to know our history and the resentment African Americans were put through to also understand what they had to overcome to assert themselves. This is a heart wrenching story but I highly will recommend it to others to read. I will continue watching the series on amazon, the screenplay was captured very well in relation to the book.
Madison Marcure
ReplyDeleteWatching the book come to life before my eyes was truly insane. Seeing the actors portraying the characters so well gave me the chills. To see Cora's story unfold was hard to watch at times. It makes you sad to think that people actually shared similar stories to this during these times. Definitely heart-wrenching and hard to watch, but worth it in the end, especially if it will help the world learn from our past. I can't even begin to imagine how to survive through everything Cora went through, she is definitely a strong woman.
Breanna Jones
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the book and, so far, the adaptation as a series. To be completely frank, though, it was really a tough read and watch. This topic is always so hard to learn about, but is so important to know and be knowledgeable of. Although being fiction, these events in the book most definitely tell a gruesome story of our history. I am so disgusted by the thought of humans doing such putrid things to other humans. Murder, torture, and lynching are just so inhumane and make no sense to me.
I really like that the story is ever going, there is never a dull moment. Our heroine, Cora- a young African American girl, is such a staunch and sublime character. Her whole story is sickening. However, it is important to understand what she and her counterparts have gone through. There is so much to uncover in this book, that is what makes it such a great read. You are on your toes and you're are also learning. You are learning about the integrity of our heroine and the evils of those against her and her alike.
As a film lover, this adaptation into a show is absolutely phenomenal. The cinematography is brilliant. It creates such a dismal and unpropitious mood for the audience. You just can't capture that mood in a book. Well, you can, but it is just different. And the acting... Thuso Mbedu does such a great job of creating Cora to be so raw. It is an honor to watch her play Cora with such justice, because Cora deserves that. Now, having said that the cinematography is great... it is also unbearable to watch at times. The scenes seem just so real that actually suffering is so uncomfortable to watch. Barry Jenkins did a great job with his adaptation. Absolutely a great watch.
The first couple of episodes were an absolute rollercoaster ride for me. The premise is heartbreaking, and it is well-produced, but it is heartbreaking. The actors did an excellent job on this project, and I was curious as to how many retakes were required to complete this adaptation. I'm still a couple of pages behind on the book, but the series is mostly accurate to the book.
ReplyDeleteOn the internet, I've seen my fair share of violence. But the scene where Cora steps in to substitute the little boy who is about to be beaten by the white man had me in tears. It reminded me a lot of an Instagram post I saw last week about a little black boy being assaulted and handcuffed by a white police officer. Sadly, history does seem to repeat itself. Overall, the series is fantastic, and I wish more people had the opportunity to watch it. It's just a shame it's locked behind a paywall.
The mention of the clip from the internet brings up an interesting point. I do not think it is entirely fair to compare an ignorant white man beating a black slave (who is 100% a victim), to a clip on the internet (that I am sure did not show the whole story). Is there a reason this child was being handcuffed and "assaulted". Was it actually an assault, or was he being combative towards the police, but the internet clip neglected to show an unbiased view of things? We are so quick to judge a situation that we were not present for, nor do we have the whole story. While I agree there is absolutely no justification for assault or false imprisonment, I do not think someone potentially breaking the law is a victim, whereas slaves were 100% victims, that did not choose the situation they were put in. It is so sad that the media is making race the main issue instead of the crime that was committed. You have to wonder if media was even remotely popular then as it is now, would slavery have ended sooner? Would there be protests similar to those for BLM? Were the average citizens whose families did not have slaves actually aware of how bad things were? What would the news coverage and social medial look like during the time of the underground railroad?
Delete-Jessica Warner
The Underground Railroad was more like an underground rollercoaster to me. Every time Cora reached a new station, it had me wondering what fresh new hell she would reach. Even the places the seems good for her, never worked out in the end. This was a very gut wrenching story, but a great read. I read the book and watched the first episode of the show and it really brings to life the book, and brings the gut wrench up by a factor of 10. The visuals are very disturbing and horrible to think that times like these really occurred.
ReplyDeleteThe parts that stood out to me most, as mentioned in the previous post was the train stations hosts words “If you want to see what this nation is all about, I always say, you have to ride the rails. Look outside as you speed through, and you’ll find the true face of America.”, and also the fact that everyone believed Mabel to have got away and living a good life most likely in Canada, only find that she died of a snake bite not long after running away. This really sheds light on the true "luck" of Cora as Caesar perceived it.
This book was one of my favorite books so far. I really enjoyed the way the author built character development. In specific I found the character development of Cora to be very powerful. As a character she was strong and determined. For me reading the book was difficult at some points because of how people treated others. While reading it was hard watching it was far worse. In the first episode the acting was wonderful. The cast made watching hard because of how good their acting was. Having to watch and read her story reminds me of the sad truth of others going through the same things as her.
ReplyDeleteBreAna Durand
DeleteUnsurprisingly watching the episodes was much harder and more emotional than reading the book for me. I don’t even remember the amount of times I jumped or trembled inside. To think that people actually experienced the horrors that Cora and the others did is really difficult to wrap my head around. I know there are people who are able to break slavery and other historical events like the Holocaust down but I’m really just at a loss for words when it comes to topics like this. I kept thinking about that phrase that basically says people aren’t born evil but rather they’re taught evil. As tough as it may be to read and watch stories like this, for me it honestly just serves as a reminder to make a difference in my everyday life in terms of the ways I interact with others.
ReplyDeleteBrian Gilbert
DeleteI think the most chilling aspect to the book and the show is the banality of evil like Ridgeway and how he simply sees his actions as part of the natural order of things. And sees Cora as a violation of that order. The fact that there are still people today who think that way and reduce other humans to other then human.
After reading the book and watching some of the series I have been taken back. Although, we have learned about this violence our whole lives this series depicts it very well. At some points in watching the film I was disturbed at the violence that took place. These acts of harm and hatred from one person onto another is astonishing and very real.
ReplyDeleteThe characters are well represented. I believe the actress that plays Cora does a very good job depicting her story and showing the emotions. In order to create a film of this topic, there must be good actors that are able to provide the audience the emotion and story telling they need.
Stephanie Pauley
DeleteI liked reading this book; the episode was good but probably something I wouldn't watch again. It does show a large depiction of the book. The person who played Cora did an outstanding job. But with the book, I feel like the story continues to get better and better. I have always been interested in the underground railroad, so I'm glad this book was assigned. You can take so much from the book. It's a powerful story that demonstrates many things like emotions and what people have gone through. And while I was reading it, I remember thinking, wow, millions of people went through stuff like this. I wonder what was going on through their heads.
ReplyDeleteSabrina Soler
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. I was heartbroken while reading Cora's story. She endured so much at such a young age. She lost everyone close to her, and despite everything she continued to be brave.
This novel was such a great read, everything Cora had to go through was insane and still managed to continue through that journey, the show on the other hand was interesting and did relate to the book it was great comparing the show to the novel. Great read overall
ReplyDeleteWhen i was younger i would hear about this experience and what happened, and it was truly incredible to be able to read this book and read what happened.
ReplyDeleteDylan Gagnon
ReplyDeleteThroughout all of our reads I realize that each book has a similar theme with the main character(s) going through extreme difficulties and horrific circumstances they're put into. For this novel it was Cara and her non stop troubles she always ran into just in pursuit of her freedom, a truly depressing feeling shared with the reader. As for the first episode of Barry Jenkins’ adaption it did a good job of showing a closer look into the struggles Cara faced and how terrible it was to be a slave in early America. In addition, the fact that this all happened (slavery, the railroad, slave catchers etc) brings even more raw emotions to the theme of the book and show than any of the other reads we have done this semester for me.