"Middleness"

Middle Passage by Charles Johnson is not just the title of the novel, but an indicator of the theme. The whole book relies on the idea of the "middle". The concept middle is mainly regarding Rutherford. He is placed in the middle of the two sides on the ship, including Captain Falcon, and the rest of the crew. He plays his cards wisely in order to contribute to both sides, almost like a double agent. He sides with the Allmuseri and their plan to take over Captain Falcon, but shortly after he warns Falcon about their attack. Captain Falcon laughs it off and mentions how no one could ever kill him, he couldn't even kill himself. He awards Calhoun for sharing this information with him, and begins to trust him. It's interesting to see how he can benefit himself from both sides. Another relation to the "middle" theme, is that a major climax occurs in the exact middle of the novel, correlating to the book title. Captain Falcon has captured an African God and stowed him secretly in his mysterious cargo. Yet again the suspense kicks in when he shares his secret with Rutherford, who claims he will keep the information to himself. Will he remain trustworthy or spoil the news to the rest of the crew? Finally, a more ironic explanation of the middle theme, is Rutherford's adventure on a slaver while he is truly a free man. It's interesting to see if he will fall back into the trap of slavery, or become someone who supports it. These twists of opinions and plot events are interesting to me. I am excited to find out where Rutherford ends up, and if he remains alive or not.

middle man

In the novel the Middle Passage the main character Rutherford Calhoun seems to be constantantly the middle man of many issues. In fact as i have been reading the book i believed that maybe the books title was not only based upon the fact that they are on the slave route the middle passage but also because Rutherfords almost middle man status. On the ship the crew is constantly trying to find a way to get rid of their captain Falcon. They want Rutherford to go into the captains quarters and set it up so that someone can sneak in, because he found a way to get in. however throughout the novel Rutherford has formed an interesting almost bond friendship with the captain, often having deep conversations with Falcon about his life. He is instantly the middle man and doesnt really know which side to take in this situation. Rutherford is also in the middle when it comes with his relationship with the slaves. Being that he is the only one of the crew that even slightly resembles the slaves. So he ends up forming bonds with some of the slaves and even gaining a little girl named Beleka who is attached to his hip. They also tell him to go to their part of the ship one night and to bring anyone whome he wants to save.

This is a cool book

Even since the beginning of the novel, I have been enjoying it. The story behind Rutherford is really interesting and pretty cool, too. Because he is a thief, it gives him certain traits that allow him to do things that you would not expect and do them well. The scene where Rutherford is snooping around Falcon's quarters on the ship is one that I particularly enjoyed to read. The things Falcon has lying around are intriguing to me.
Rutherford's middle placement within the story also gives you a point of view from every group. You get to learn what Falcon, the crew, and he himself is thinking. They are all different. The dramatic irony that Rutherford brings about is fun because you know exactly what he knows too. And he knows everything about what is going to happen. He is in the middle and this placement gives the reader info on all events that occur in the story.

Middle Passage first blog and such

So far I've really enjoyed reading middle passage. It's a fun book with enough action to keep it interesting but also with enough metaphorical literature-ness that it leads to good, thought provoking class discussions.

The theme of being in the "middle" is really intriguing to me due to the way in which it is explored in every character or object. The idea of dualism vs unity is one I would like to explore a lot more. The characters I have been able to place somewhere along the Unity------>Dualism spectrum are...
Rutherford (who's in the middle)
Falcon (Dualism)
The Republic (Dualism-maybe? well it's all about being a process)
The Allmuseri+The God (VERY much Unity)
Isadora (Unity-well maybe she's a little tricky too)
White people in general (Dualism)

But I want to know more about the representation of

1) Jackson....this character still really confuses me. I'm excited to discuss and understand more about him and why he did what he did. (That was so crazy on his part! Maybe it was the right thing to do, but if I were Rutherford I would be pissed off too)
2) Does Tommy O'Toole represent one?
3) Or what about Cringle?
4) Ngonyama? (he SHOULD represent unity but then he is kind of the contradiction to the rule)

So I'm really excited to hear what happens next and also to see which side Rutherford ends up on when the mutiny occurs. Will he stay loyal to the crew or follow Falcon? Right now I have no idea.

January 21 2010

"The Middle Passage" is a representation of Rutherford's relationship with the various crews on the Republic. Not only is he a member of the crew, When the crew agrees on a mutainy, and he cuts his finger and drinks wine, but Calhoun asked Rutherfod to keep an eye and ear on the crew, and report back to him. When Rutherford asks, "A spy?", Falcon responds with "Nay, a friend! I need someone to keep this eyes open and tell me of any signs of trouble." And he becames friends with Ngonyama, one of the leaders of the groups of the Allmuseri. They form a relationship where they teach eachother their languages, most likley because he is the only African American member of the crew of the Republic. Rutherford ends up giving Ngonyama and the membders of the Allmuserithe key to the cell to break them free. So this causes Rutherford to become surrounded by a member of every perspective on the ship. This causes him to become the center of the ship, and substantial member of each group of people.

His relationsip with the captian is the most interesting to read because you see everything from the highest state of power on the ship.

The Middle...

This book has a great deal with the middle of things. Not only is the Republic in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and following the famous middle passage, the slave trade route. The theme of the middle is found everywhere in the book, especially regarding Rutherford. One reason why Rutherford is in the middle is because he is on everyone's side, an example of this is how he claims that he is on the side of the mutineers as well as that of Captain Falcon. When the muteers plan their mutiny, Rutherford claims to be in on it, but he soon tells the falcon what is going to happen. This shows how Rutherford is in the middle because he is on no one's side. Rutherford is also in the middle because he is a free black on a slave ship. This means that he cannot fully identify with the crew or the slaves. This, also shows how Rutherford is very much in the middle.

Middle Passage....egassaP elddiM

Im standing here, on the poop deck, watching Rutherford cower behind the mast whilst Meadows beats the dogs, clad in Rutherford's clothing. Comeon man.... do something.... dont just watch that happen. But he doesnt, and as the reader, i might as well be a silent pacified bystander, it troubles me to see this. Only hours from now, Rutherford will cover himself with rotting flesh from throwing a dead Allmuseri overboard, but he does not know it. Only hours from now, Rutherford will become Nduga, but he does not know that either. If he did know of what was to come, would he change his plan now, i dont know. And not knowing, this also troubles me. This trend continues though, each page i read i feel that the last might have been written differently had they also seen this dramatic irony. For this, i curse this book, for this, i cannot drop it. I am now a part of this novel, if i were to stop reading i would be forever lost in the same still waters that keeps the crew of the Republic from their homes. I, as much as Cringle and Rutherford, as much as the Allmuseri, would love to finish this adventure.

Middle of the Middle

So far I find this book very enjoyable and what most appeals to me is the fact that when looked at from the outside it is a seemingly very simple novel while when you dive further into it there is much complexity and depth to be extracted from it. The concept of being in the middle is on that is very prevalent in this novel and in the character of Rutherford. The fact that he is a Black man puts him on the bottom but the fact that he is freeman elevates him slightly. He is literally stuck in the middle of everything. Whites look down on him because he is of the “inferior” race and the same is true of other Black slaves, he is above them and therefore he is not one of them either. This is a theme that I very much enjoy because it seems that many of us feel as if we are in the middle of something. Whether it be in the middle of a conflict, in the middle in terms of rank, or like Rutherford, stuck between races. It is fairly easy to feel disconnected from everyone and feel like there is no one who understands your unique situation. Every side feels as if it’s pulling and /or pushing you, you may feel pressure to pick a side, pick a team to support or maybe no one wants you because you are different and are therefore receiving judgment and criticism from both sides. Often times there is much bouncing back and forth, picking sides, changing sides, and ultimately being left nowhere. I have been in the middle of many conflicts and it is the worst position to be in because there are no clear answers on what to do or who to support. Being in the middle represents not being in the middle at all, not being at the center of everyone’s attention, and being in the middle feels like being the biggest outcast possible. There is this dualism that is present because of the fact that no matter what you will be fighting with yourself or others because no matter what you are not with people of your kind, you will always be different. It is very difficult to express the difference between being in the middle and being centered, because while the two words seem interchangeable, I see them as extremely opposing ideals. Being centered very simply put is being balanced. There is unity, you are not working for or against someone or something you are one and amidst everything, balancing and experiencing it all simultaneously.

(Sorry if theres errors, didnt rly have time to look over)

"The God"

Ebenezer Falcon is returning from Africa with not only riches in slaves but something greater....something irreplaceable, somthing incomprehensible.Falcon has obtained an Allumseri god. Falcon lives to capture any and everything, whether it be land, riches, or souls. The thought that he has literally captured God (no pun intended) is immensely self fulfilling to him, and kind of ironic to us.

I think the god is intriguing, especially in the scene where Tommy O'Toole goes to investigate it. Somehow Tommy returns speaking multiple native african languages. Overall, we can say Tommy seems practically posessed. Interesting......

It's a figure of immense mystery..... In terms of narrative advantage Johnson could push the story any way he wants. I think that by having an Allumseri god on board we will (both metaphorically and literally) see how much power this tribe holds. That even though they are regarded as the inferior race, they are much superior. I predict that the black slaves will ultimately be revealed to be more strong than whites once thought of them as. The "God" will help them achieve this.....i have yet to know how. I do however hope that the story doesn't get to science fiction esque, just because i think it would detract from the overall message, strength of the story, and I am not a big fan of science fiction :)

middle passage

'tis a god!' What!! now I'm confused! i was liking where this book was heading with the middle passage metaphors and semi-realistic ship travels, the characters it was all adding up, but now i am confused, what does he mean a god, is it some kind of undeveloped human or super developed human, or is he just spiralling off and leaving all sort of reality behind and having some superficial 'GOD' being on board. this raises a lot of questions as all religion does questions like, how did they catch this god? why doesn't this god destroy them? Why don't they worship the god? how did they capture this god? do they still worship Christ? what is it??? what will they do with it? a crate, really? is it a hungry god if so them wouldn't it be human by needing to consume? where did this god come? from are there more?

MIddle Passage... The Beggining of the End

I have taken a real interest in this book. The main issue that comes up in my head while im reading htis is how the Hell does Charles Johnson come up with the things in this book.. such as the Almusari, how they think, their identiy.. like the lack of finger prints???? I wish i was as clever as he was. The idea of capturing a God? like where the hell is he getting all this? Its fantasitc I eat that shit up! I like the character Falcon, he is one of the most interesting people ive ever read about, not only how he is protrayed in the book but how he talks and how other react with him in the novel. the ideas he thinks of are amazing and a beautiful way to think about society. I completly agree with his thoughts on the winning opinion is the right one, because if the winning one kicks all the losing opinions out... who else is there? No one. I think the biggest concept of "middle" is Rutherford. He connects with Captain Falcon, who represents Unity then he also gets along wth Ngonyama, the Almusari leader who represtents Dualism. Rutherford is a common ground amongst all of the characters that we have meet so far, he is a median in every situation and he happened to stow away on The Republic which follows the Middle Passage, there is no way that he cant symbolize the greater meaning of "middle". Now the center is being connected to all things in an equal way, middle is more having some sort of relationship not necessarily equal to both sides. He has a relation with everything but he is not the middle and equally connected so there for he is the middle, but not the center. I think the symbolism of Center in this book would be The Republic. It is equally connected to every one on it, no more or less with one person. Now i haven't read past Entry the Third but i am very curious to see how the God is portrayed in the book, is it a good God that helps unify people? or is it an evil God that will raise hell and destruction and kill every one on the ship except the people with colored skin? maybe i don't know just predicting. I like the way this book is written, i love the language and the references in the book and how unique every character is from one another. there is no same character attributes at all. they are all sooo very different like maybe not polar opposite but different in essentially every way. I truly like this book its liken nothing ive ever read and i believe that it is the kind of book that every one can love even if people dont like this sort of genre i think it is possible for every person to enjoy. I cant wait to see what happens next.

MIddle Passage

Middle Passage by Charles Johnson is a very interesting book. I also like how Charles is black because we are so used to reading books around this time from a white person's perspective, and now we get to see how the blacks felt and were emotionally effected by all this happening to them, from being sold and moved around to being maybe even a free man then being written up as a run away slave. There are just so many suspenseful moments when i just have to keep reading ahead even if we are supposed to stop. I also love many of the characters in this book. This book is just wonderful all around and has many interesting scenes that i get all into.
First of all, my favorite character is Rutherford Calhoun. The interesting thing about him is that he is a freed slave and he still lives down South in New Orleans. I also liked how he wanted to travel the world instead of get married, he wanted to test things out and not be tied down. It was also weird in the begging of the book when we hear about that gang with the leader called Papa. I never knew that there were little gangs like that. Another character i loved was Captain Falcon. He as a man is strange because he is usually always drunk and ordering Rutherford around. But then in a way he connects with Rutherford and helps him out by giving him that magnetic ring and the gun to go with it.
My favorite part about this book so far has been when Rutherford found out that there is a God on board the Republic. When he found out i feel like he was scared, like he had no clue on what to do with this god and how to chain him down. This God was very interesting to read about because he has so many powers. He comes from the tribe Allmuseri, which is known for hard workers. My favorite line in this section was "You may say empirical knowledge is on man's side, not God's. It's our glory and grief both, function of the duality mind..." This line is so inter sting how it is almost even saying that man is more intelligent, more powerful than God its self. This god reflects the values of the Allumseri because it almost even represents their culture, which is again hard working men, but then this god traps people and tricks them into going to heaven. The god on board may cause some advantages or disadvantages. It could kill many people on tricking them or it could save slaves by relieving them. It could go either way.

Middle Passage

So far I think that this book is really interesting. I find myself left wondering about many thing. I wish there was a way we could hear about how Isadora, and what what she is doing with her life. I also think is it strange that Rutherford is a freed slave on a slave boat, but at the same time it was the only way he could really save himself. I want to if he ever thinks about Isadora, and what goes through his mind. I thought it was interesting how on page 61 it was talking about the slaves and how "their palms were blank, bearing no lines. No fingerprints." This made me think about how slaves are not treated like individuals at all and how that's really sad because they can not have any say in what happens to them or what tasks they have to perform. This quote is proof of saying that slaves are just items and not people.
I can actually picture this book being a true story and can see it being a voyage that would be really interesting to be apart of. I think that it is cool how this book holds mysteries, it makes it more fun to read. This is my favorite book that we have read so far in A.P lit.
I am kind of confused about the God and how it is in the cage/ box. When I think of a God I think of them being all around and not just in one specific place. I want to know is going to happen to the God as the voyage progresses.

THE GOD

On page 100, you learn that the extra cargo that Falcon brought on the ship is the Almuseri's god. Falcon gloats that he not only is bringing the people, but their Deity. Once Rutherford grasps the idea of having a god on the very same ship he is on, he starts worrying of what will happen in the future when they land in America. I share the same worrying ideas that he has. "No explorer could touch Falcon now. He had won his deepest wish... History, as we knew it, would end, for there would be no barriers between the secular and sacred." (103) Falcon had the answers to everything now that he possesses "everything." He explains how the god is everything. Once they are in America, they will rape the god in every way is possible, they will take advantage of all that it has to offer and then prod it even more. Humans are going to fuck themselves over because this god is everything and when they mess with it, they will be messing with everything that is around them, themselves, ideas, places. EVERYTHING. AHHH
The Almuseri are the prodigy of unity. They are the Almuseri, they are not individuals. I love the thought of how these people are not people, but a people. I wish we could sense that feeling of unity of one in anything. Every aspect of life for us is competitive. We are born in a country where everyone has to be the best, everyone has to be an 'A' personality. If we worked together rather than one, as a nation we would be better than a myriad of productive individuals.
I have a few questions.
1. I really wonder what is problem between Jackson and Rutherford.
2. Falcon addresses how he captured a god, but how is that realistic. Why is the god materialized for several seconds?

So far this has been my favorite book that we have read in Lit. It has a more in depth plot and we don't find out many aspects of it for a while. I also like that Rutherford is the narrator because you get a sense of why he is a thief. If it was said from another perspective, we wouldn't know that he does it not only because he likes to, but also when he is nervous. It's almost a therapy for Rutherford. I am really excited to read more.

The middle passage Bloggage

Congratulations Mr. Lavender you are the first teacher, as far as I can remember, who has assigned a reading that is both interesting and engaging. Mostly I like reading science fiction books that have little or no relevance to life or what I’m doing in school. Those books are an ‘out’ of life (especially if life is boring). I feel that Middle Passage is borderline Sci-Fi, or at least up to where I have read. Putting a tribal god into a box was a cool idea because it might have been the last thing that I expected to find in a seemingly nonfiction book. These curve balls are what keep me interested. Another wonderfully thought out aspect of Middle Passage is how we can fully view each faction from the point of view of Rutherford. This gives an emphasis onto the dualism which this book revolves around. In all tis' a jolly good read!

Middle Passage

My impression on Middle Passage is impeded by my inability to grasp some analogies and deeper meanings. Like traveling down a highway too fast to be able to acknowledge the signs in their entirety, I read past something I don’t understand hoping to find meaning in the next few passages. Partially due to my inferior English 11 brain and my incapacity to pay attention for long periods of time, I cannot comprehend all aspects of this Novel. However, I am captivated by many of the specifics of this book, such as the characters, plot, and setting. It is a tangible, yet fictitious recollection of adventure intertwined with some of the most detrimental human qualities that mankind has faced. By embarking on this adventure, some of the worst mentalities of the human species are illuminated. A great example of this is Captain Falcon, eating blacks, raping children. He is the ultimate illustration of Nepolion Syndrome.

Middle Passage

Charles Johnson’s Middle Passage has been a very enjoyable novel for the most part so far. There are parts that truly shock and or disgust, but they do great things for the novel, and keep the reader craving more. For the most part though, I’d have to say I’ve enjoyed the writing style more than the actually story at this point.

Middle Passage is beautifully written. I really enjoy the way Johnson constructs his sentences as well as all the words he chooses. Every single part of the book seems to be handpicked, after a long process of thought and consideration. All the words flow so smoothly it is simply a pleasure to read them no matter what they say. Not to mention how spectacular the descriptions are. They not only give you a picture, put a precise mood, and feeling.

Also, many of the ideas brought up throughout the novel are great. I especially enjoyed the part where Rutherford is talking to Falcon in his cabin, and Falcon brings up the idea that to think, we must be separate. “Man is the problem, Mr. Calhoun. Not just gents, but women as well, anythin’ capable of thought,” (pg. 96) was such a pleasure to read because it brought up something so wonderful to think about. It is true that our thoughts set us all apart, but what of those with the same thoughts? Are we still separate if we think the same on one topic or another? Falcon’s idea may be wrong as it may actually be the topic of a conversation or debate rather than the thoughts involved that separate us all.

As for the story, I’m not so sure I entirely understand the point of certain parts and characters. I suppose that many of the characters will have important roles as the story progresses, but for now I’m really not entirely sure what to make of them. For example, Tommy O’Toole is a boy I can see has some functioning part in the book, but he seems so minor, I really don’t understand what the point of his presence is. I suppose it could be to expand on understanding Falcon as a person, but other than that I’m lost as to why he is there. This is the same with certain passages, which I’m sure are also there for a reason, even if it is only to keep the book moving, but much of the time I feel the need to skip over these parts or only read them because of how well I believe they are written. As Johnson’s words seem so carefully selected though, I’m sure that it is the same for many of these characters and parts. Johnson does not seem one who would put anything down without a reason.

The Alluseri god is something in Middle Passage I find myself very borderline about. I’m hoping that when they open the crate, the prized object will instead be an exotic animal, as for me the idea of having a god locked up seems too far fetched. Much of what I like about this book has to do with the fact that is was somewhat historically accurate, and though I see how making up an African tribe would help, I really don’t think a god does anything for the novel. All the god does at this point is make the story extremely unbelievable for me, and although I do like the fantasy genre, in a story like this it is simply over the line to have something like that. The idea of having a god in the crate reflects the Alluseri brilliantly though as it binds them to a sense of being untouchable or almost unearthly themselves.

All and all, Middle Passage is certainly my favorite novel we read as a class this year. It may have to do with my interest in the slave trade, but as so far I don’t feel Johnson has focused too much on that aspect, I suppose the novel as a whole has caught my interest.

middle passage

The concept of the word middle comes up throughout the book. Rutherford is the very meaning of a middle man. He cannot decide between being Falcons bitch or being the crews buddy. He is confused by everything that comes up in his life, whether its marriage, or paying his debt. Rutherford knows he loves Isadora but he cannot fully commit to one thing and marry her. Thus begins his journey on the boat, where he becomes even more of a middle man. When breaking into Falcons cabin, Rutherford gets caught, this is where he really becomes Falcons bitch. Falcon even goes so far as asking him to spy on the crew for him. Someone like Tommy O'Toole is centered, he is both inside the box with the god, and outside with the crew. He has overcome the decision to be one way or another that he is now both. For example when the god is singing the song Tommy is both singing the song and he is the song.

Middle Passage

So far Middle Passage by Charles Johnson is an enjoyable book that I have no problem picking up and reading through. The symbolism of being in the "middle" is constantly reoccurring throughout the novel. Although the plot and symbolism in this book are great, I feel the characters in this novel are flawed. The main characters such as Rutherford, Falcon and Cringle are well developed but I feel the other characters weren't as well throughout. All the minor characters have very similar backgrounds and don't have any real voice in the novel. Aside from that minor setback the novel is very interesting and has a fluid flow to it. The first half of the novel was good but I hope that the second half will be at a quicker pace. The literary techniques in the novel are easily apparent and easy to catch onto. The imagery is very vivid and does a great job of depicting scenes with words that really paint an image in the readers mind. It is also interesting how themes, characters and traits in the novel relate to each other. The connection between the individuality of the sea and the graping bonds of land.

Middle Passage Blog

The Allmuseri God, signifies unity to the tribe. It is the master of everything. The universe, the cosmos...it controls the outward expanding of the universe, it controls even the atoms. It keeps the cylce going and going. Forever uniting everything. It does this, as the Allmuseri preists say, with "only one-fourth of its full power." And uses the other three-fourths to sustain parallel universes. I think this is awesome, but the description of this God got a little foggy. It has a "thousand names" and they don't carve it's image. "All tings are its image: stone and sand. Master and salve." Falcon was I guess just lucky, that he was in the right place and the right time when the God apeared in its physical form.
Some advantages of having a symbol of unity, like this god, is that Falcon is stripping unity from the tribe....I'm running into a wall with this prompt. I guess a disadvantage would be that....what is falcon going to do with a god?...sell it?....tame it? Who knows?