HANG A THOUSAND TREES WITH RIBBONS by Ann Rinaldi

As you all my know, I'm working on my own YA Historical, albeit with sci-fi weirdness thrown in. Hey, I'm a Trekkie, yanno. Besides the obvious research required, I've also been seeking out the finest YA Historical lit I can find. One Google search turned up HANG A THOUSAND TREES WITH RIBBONS by Ann Rinaldi. It's the story of Phillis Wheatley, a young woman who was kidnapped from her home in Senegal, Africa and sold into slavery in Colonial America. Besides learning to read and write, she composed poetry which was subsequently published. She did this during a time when a lot of white folks believed those of African descent were of a different species which was incapable of higher learning. In fact, it was generally believed to be a bad idea to educate women at all - white or black.


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What initially drew me to this novel was the fact that the author is white-as-a-bleached-sheet - like me - and she wrote a novel with an African American heroine - like I'm trying to do. I figured if she could do it, then so could I. Of course, Ann Rinaldi's career spans several decade whilst I'm just getting started. But, what the hey.

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One of the biggest challengs of writing Historical fiction and any sub-genre thereof is creating characters in a long-past time and place which resonate with contemporary readers. Historical Romance is especially guilty of resorting to making the characters too contemporary-feeling to accomplish this. The thing to remember is people who read Historical fiction of any kind do so because they love history. This means they're quite familiar with it. Faking it won't wash with them. Ann Rinaldi does NOT have this problem. There were plenty of teenagers in Phillis's time who condescended to their peers just as they do in American high schools today. Phillis felt the same pain and resentment. Like those who survive it today, she relied on the strength of her own human spirit.

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The story is told in First Person through Phillis' eyes. It starts out with her preparing to accompany her master's son, Nathaniel, to meet with some of the most powerful men in Colonial America, including John Hancock. The purpose of this visit is to prove that she - an African American slave - actually created the poetry she's written. The reason this is so important is that in doing so she will prove that her race is just as capable of higher learning as white people.

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Upon arriving, Phillis flashes back to when she was kidnapped, along with her mother and best friend, from her home in Senegal by a rival tribe leader who sold them to white slavers bound for America. Ann Rinaldi doesn't sugar-coat what happens and yet she tells this story vividly for the age level it's intended. The scene in which Phillis's mother is thrown overboard for refusing to have 'liberties' (sex) with one of the white crew is chilling. Phillis fights and screams, trying to rescue her mother while the evil creature who claims to be human chops off her mother's hands as she clings to the boat. Phillis has carried these memories with her and doesn't share them with anyone.

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Phillis is in love with Nathaniel, but keeps it to herself. He's always kind to her and he's the one who taught her to read. Despite Nathaniel's kindness, he still has no comprehension of why Phillis longs to be free. Phillis has it good compared to other African American women of the time. She's an indoor slave - well-fed, clothed, warm, treated kindly. Nathaniel's sister, Mary, is even reprimanded for hitting Phillis. Nevertheless, Phillis longs to be free.

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As contemporary Americans, we know a cage is a cage no matter how golden. We know self-determination is a deep emotional need of the human race, regardless of color. Yet, we know there are many human beings out there driven to subjugate the rest of us. The fundemental way they do this is in believing in their own superiority. In male-dominated societies, women are believed to be inferior and less-intelligent. Oppressive political regimes believe they know better how to govern than the common slob on the street. It was the same in Colonial America.

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Phillis Wheatley was one of the first women to begin the change for the rest of us in America, black or white. Or tan. Or olive complexion. Whatever.

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You only need to read a history book to know how this story ends, but you'll miss out on the human experience if you do. Phillis is seventeen in this story, but I believe Ann Rinaldi's portrayel of her will resonate with us all. http://www.annrinaldi.com/