Black Ivory

Description

In Robert Michael Ballantyne’s story, a shipwreck leaves the two survivors, the son of the charterer and a seaman, on the Eastern coast of Africa. There, the slave trade is still flourishing, in spite of the significant British efforts to stop it. Although the problem was almost solved on the west coast, in the east, the Portuguese and Arabs were still trading slaves.

As the title suggests, the reader might expect the story to be exclusively about slave trading, but, in fact, the book tackles other subjects, as well. However, Ballantyne depicts a trustworthy image of what slave trading was in 19th century Africa.

The two heroes of the story get in contact with the horrible trade even from the beginning. Their journey sets the background of incredible stories of horror and suffering, which are not fictitious. But the cruel tales are a great opportunity for the author to express hope for a better future, for a world in which slavery and slave trade will be entirely extinct.

The book carries an evangelic message, as well. The nowadays reader, however, should not be surprised by it, considering the fact that the book was published in 1873 and was meant for a juvenile public.

The author’s purpose in portraying the numerous horrors the protagonists see is building a strong case against slavery. Even if intended for a young reader, the book has the power to incite adults likewise.

Robert Michael Ballantyne was born in Edinburgh, April 24, 1825. He started his writing career in 1848, and has published over 100 titles of adventure tales for youngsters. His most famous stories include, besides Black Ivory, Coral Island, The Gorilla Hunters, and The Eagle Cliff. He was passionate about painting as well, having some works exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy. Ballantyne died in Rome, in February 1894.
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