Afrcan Queen: The real life story of the Hottentot Venus pages 33-48

Summary:

One night Saartjie caught a cold and was crying from the pain she felt in her throat and knees. Instead of allowing Saartjie to get a day off to get better, Dunlop pulled out his bamboo stick and beat her. The audience began to question the relationship between Dunlop and Saartjie. When a member of the audience asked the reason for the beating his answer was very disrespectful. Saartjie continued playing the guitar while tears ran down her eyes. This was the day that the relationship between Saartjie and Dunlop began to bring up the question whether or not the relationship between the two or business or slavery oriented.

Wednesday October 17, Zachary Macaulay, Thomas Gisborne Babington, and Peter Van Wageninge visited barrister Sir Simon Le Blanc at his chambers in Sergeant’s Inn. They went to file an affidavit in support of their application for a writ of habeas corpus to be issued against Alexander Dunlop. They demanded that Dunlop show proof of passport from Lord Caledon and the name of the ship in which he traveled with Saartjie. It was unknown to Saartjie at the time but her life was about to change once again for the better. The case of the “Hottentot Venus” opened at the court of the King’s Bench in Westminster Hall, Parliament Square, on Saturday November 24, 1810. Sir Simon Le Blanc represented the African Institution and Edward law presided as a judge but he was known as the Lord chief justice of England, he was also part of the African Institution. Sir William Garrow was the person who represented Saartjie case. His defense was that she was held against her will and forced to expose her body to the public in a matter in which she disliked. He wanted to liberate her of her confinement and places her under proper protection in England and eventually returns her to her native homeland. The chapter ended with the discussion of whether or not Saartjie would be recommended to join the courtroom and describe her life to the jury.

Quotation:

" She saw it, knew its power, and, though ill, delayed no longer"( Holmes 48).

Reflection:
The quote above describes the automatic understanding that slaves have with their masters. When a weapon is drawn and used the slave immediately understand the power that they lack and the power that their masters gain. Although Saartjie was sick with the flu and needed rest, she continued to work and sing. Although her throat was throbing and her knees were aching she continued to sing and dance. This just further describe the pain that many slaves went through. Although she was a "showgirl" she was treated no different than a slave living in the outskirts of South Africa.

If put in Saartjie situation I have no idea how I could have been as strong as she was. She went through days of people violating her personal space. She had to sing, dance and play guitar everyday although she was sick or tired. Threw the beatings, verbal abuse and public humiliation Saatjie prospered. She even overcame the physical abuse that her master put her through. Saartjie is a role model for women living in situation just like hers. Whether they are forced to continue working in a bad enviornment through contract or in an abusive relationship, they can look at Saartjie's history and they can prosper.