Realism and Regionalism in "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Go Down, Moses," and "Keep Your Hand on the Plow"

The three African American spiritual poems, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Go Down, Moses," and "Keep Your Hand on the Plow," are each very important to not only the African American culture during the Civil War, but also the literary genres of Realism and Regionalism. These poems incorporate many common themes of Realism such as figurative language, society of the current time period, religious references, and historical events causing the story (Barney). One may tell that whoever the authors were were originally from the South because of the Regionalism aspects of the writing. These are all songs and poems sung by plantation workers, or slaves, during the Civil War era, and they all share a similar tone of despair and anguish which is relieved ultimately, or at least will be some day.

The figurative language in each of these poems is very powerful, and it makes the poem more effective and appealing. For instance, in "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," the author specifically references the Jews' plight in crossing the Jordan River to escape from slavery in Egypt (Swing 346). This allusion to the Bible is very common throughout this type of literature, and it helps the reader see a broader perspective of suffering. "Go Down, Moses" references the slaves in Egypt as well. However, the author of this poem seems to put themselves in in the position mentioned in the Bible. Also, this time, they are not crossing the Jordan River, but they are begging the pharaoh to release the people from slavery as a whole (Go 347). This second allusion to the Bible plays a very similar role as it did in the first poem of connecting slavery in the past to the current situation in which they are in. The poem "Keep Your Hand on the Plow" also references the Bible and scripture heavily, but this is in a different way. It presents a message of perseverance as well as stating that God will help the slaves endure as Jesus did with Paul and Silas in the story of Jesus wanting to wash Paul's feet (Keep 348). Another piece of figurative language some may say is the use of the southern vernacular in each poem. This fact also helps attribute these works to the subgenre of Regionalism rather than just Realism.

Along with the similar figurative language in each, there is a common theme of simple writing and style which sets the works even deeper into Realism. Realism is normally characterized by writers who attempt to describe life as it really is (Barney). The salves in these poems certainly do not try to sugar coat their terrible experiences, and the fact that they have to sing motivational songs from religion says to the reader that they are surely suffering. Since Regionalism is directly linked to Realism, it comes as no surprise that the simple language make these poems a part of Regionalism as well. The majority of slaves in the South did not know how to read or write, and they were not educated overall, and so they learned orally how to sing these uplifting and emotional songs.

Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock, eds. "realism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: The Age of Romanticism and Realism, 1816–1895, vol. 2, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL0738&SingleRecord=True (accessed February 13, 2011).

"Go Down, Moses." American Literature. Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 347. Print.

"Keep Your Hand on the Plow." American Literature. Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 348. Print

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." American Literature. Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 346. Print