The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution

James occasionally cites sources that directly contradict his outlook or opinion. What rhetorical purpose do these sources serve in the text? How does James frame or analyze them in ways that support his central ideas?

Numerous excerpts from documents dictated by Toussaint appear in the text, including proclamations and personal communications. Perform a rhetorical analysis of an excerpt of your choice. Who is the document for, and what is Toussaint’s purpose in drafting it? What choices does he make to accomplish that purpose more persuasively? How effective would you expect the document to be at accomplishing its purpose, under the circumstances?

Describe James’s tone. What is his attitude toward Toussaint, and how can you tell? How far does he stray from an objective portrayal of history? How does he convince readers to accept his interpretation of events?

The Haitian Revolution has been called the only successful slave revolt in modern history. What, according to James, were the key factors in its success? Do you think that he overestimates or underestimates the importance of any elements? Why or why not?

Some Blacks argued that Toussaint was too lenient toward the White slaveowners, whom he allowed to keep their property. Do you agree? Argue for your position.

Though James generally admires Toussaint, he identifies several of Toussaint’s choices as mistakes. What do you think is Toussaint’s most significant mistake, and why do you think he made the choice that he did?

In the Appendix, James reviews the development of national identity in the West Indies through 1962, drawing on history and literature. If James were to extend his analysis to the present day, which West Indian writers or artists might attract his attention, and why? How do you see those writers’ work as continuing or breaking from the trends James identifies?

James describes the physical and strategic elements of several battles. What role do these descriptions serve in the text, and how do the battles relate to James’s main points?