While there is also much literature
about American slavery written both by slaves and masters, none
of it was written from the viewpoint of modern social sciences.
However, Elkins postulates that a slave type must have existed
as the result of the attempt to control mass behavior, and he
believes that this type probably bore a marked resemblance to the
literary stereotype of "Sambo." Studying concentration camps and
their impact on personality provides a tool for new insights into
the working of slavery, but, warns Elkins, the comparison can
only be used for limited purposes. Although slavery was not
unlike the concentration camp in many respects, the concentration
camp can be viewed as a highly perverted form of slavery, and
both systems were ways of controlling mass behavior
The "Sambo" of American slave literature was portrayed as being
docile but irresponsible, loyal but lazy, humble but chronically
given to lying and stealing. He was a child figure, often
demonstrating infantile silliness and exaggeration, exasperating
but lovable and, above all, utterly dependent on and attached to
his master.
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