More Solitary Passages Questions - - Question 13

The primary purpose of the passage is to

LH44 April 8, 2019

Please Explain

Can you please explain why B is incorrect? I thought the author was advocating a new approach to the way history gets reviewed/looked at - advocating for the importance of also looking at the success of African Americans during the time period

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Victoria April 8, 2019

Hi @LH44,

In this passage, the author does express their support for the new approach, as evidenced by the statement: "a recent, welcome shift from a white-centred to a black-centred inquiry." However, the remainder of the passage focuses on research which employs that approach rather than the approach itself.

The author is discussing Breen and Innes' passage which argues that, from 1620 through to the 1670s, "the free African Americans of Northampton County held their own in the rough-hewn world of Chesapeake Bay." The author concedes that Breen and Innes discuss the asymmetry of political power in the region, but the author argues that they under emphasize the evidence surrounding customary law in the 1660s.

In this way, the author is critically evaluating the work of Breen and Innes. While their work does utilize this new approach which the author has expressed support for, this is not the main purpose of the passage.

Hope this is helpful!