Using a Conditional Matrix to Develop Understanding of Appearance of African American Women in Female Slave Narratives

Eulanda A. Sanders; Joan Laughlin

Concurrent Sessions

Using a Conditional Matrix to Develop Understanding of Appearance of African American Women in Female Slave Narratives

Authors: Eulanda A. Sanders (Colorado State University) , Joan Laughlin (University of Nebraska)

Abstract

Appearance provides cues to the cul-tural, political, social, aesthetic, and economic aspects of an individual's life. This study analyzed appearance as described in slave narratives written by African American women after emancipation, using semiotics as a theoretical framework. Descriptions of appearance in these texts provide clues to African American women's positioning in society by comparison to a conditional matrix.

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How to Cite: Sanders, E. A. & Laughlin, J. (1998) “Using a Conditional Matrix to Develop Understanding of Appearance of African American Women in Female Slave Narratives”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. 1999(1).