Abstract
Raw physical force alone has never been able to totally define or control behavioral relations between the oppressed and oppressors. Myths and ideologies have been equally instrumental in conditioning the behavioral responses of both groups. Acceptance of this premise makes it easy to understand why many Christian slavemasters of the American South, particularly between 1800 and 1860, intentionally
made the oral instruction of slaves a priority. These masters systematically encouraged southern white preachers to develop special literary sources for this express purpose.