Personification

In this play, Girl narrates her journey from Africa and describes the river as having human qualities that carry her further and further away from her mother on its great brown back. This personification not only shows the force of nature but also highlights how Girl is helplessly separated from her birthplace. The playwright uses this literary device to evoke a sense of empathy in the readers and portray the emotional turmoil of the slaves.

Furthermore, the deplorable conditions of the journey are also personified to highlight the distress of the slaves. The narrator compares the clean fresh wind singing from the ropes to the putrid smells of the moaning grates on the ship’s deck. This comparison further emphasizes the miserable setting in which the slaves were forced to travel.

The use of personification in the play is a powerful literary tool that helps the playwright to convey the emotional and physical struggles of the slaves. By attributing human qualities to inanimate objects, the writer creates a vivid and compelling image of the characters’ experiences and their suffering. Overall, the play is a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of slavery and the human cost of this inhumane practice.