Harriet Tubman: Guide to freedom
By Ann Petry
Setting: Most of the story happens in 1851; Along the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in Dorchester County, in Caroline county; During a cold dark December winter, as presented in the story.
Towards the end of the story, other locations (Cities) are mentioned: Wilmington, Delaware; St. Catharines, Canada West (Now known as Ontario); Cape May, New Jersey; Philadelphia. Some of them being part of the Underground railroad, a series of networks that helped slaves to arrive in Canada.
Characters: In this biography, the main character is Harriet Tubman. We can identify unspecific characters like the eleven slaves and the English masters from the plantations. However, other people are mentioned throughout the story. Including: Frederick Douglass, William Still, Reverend J.W, the German man, etc.
Plot analyzes
Exposition: The story begins by explaining how in the Eastern Shore of Maryland a man named Moses was running away slaves. “He” was never seen, but they often heard the cries and moans of a whippoorwill and hoot owls; Nothing more. Then, finally on Sunday the discovery was made, when the poster making wasn’t available, runaway slave hunters weren’t available either. Which meant that the slaves had the chance to escape.
Rising action: In 1851, Harriet started planning the runaway of eleven slaves. Starting with planning the trip and choosing the slaves. Finally, one night she announced her arrival (After days of being in the plantation) by singing the forbidden spirit. The people selected were notified and waited for the signal. They had to reach Canada, if not they would get caught. Throughout the three days and nights of walking, their only incentive and courage was Harriet’s story about where they were going to rest. Nevertheless, when they arrived the man inside the farmhouse (where they were always welcomed and were given shelter), refused to let them in. Since, there were too many. They were tired, still they couldn’t really sleep. Harriet kept thinking how they were eleven thousand worth of slaves. She kept encouraging them and telling them stories about Thomas Garrett (How he was going to give them new shoes, how he hid fugitives, etc). Even so, she noticed that they didn’t believe her. That same night they reached the house of a German man (Who kindly received them), where they were given shelter and food. They spent the night in the warm kitchen, slept and left the next day. It was hard for them to leave the warmth and friendliness that they had experienced. The farther they went, the more coldness and darkness entered into the runaways. She knew that one of them would soon turn mutinous.
Climax : Two nights later, they got slower and more tired. She kept telling stories, but one suddenly cried that he wanted to go back. The runaway insisted and when the one said “I’m going back”, Harriet lifted the gone and said “Go on with us or die”. He was hesitant, still he turned back with the group. She explained that if one of them went back to the plantation, they wouldn’t be the only ones imprisoned and ruined; The ones who had helped them would also be in danger.
Falling action: She continued telling stories about the Middle Passage. Once in a while, she felt that she was a mere voice in the darkness of the night. She seemed like a strong muscular woman, but she could lose consciousness in any second. Like it happened once, fortunately they came to trust her and waited until she woke up. They reached Wilmington, Delaware where Thomas Garrett lived. He provided shelter, food and new shoes. Then, they reached Philadelphia, where William Still kept record of every name and provided them with money to reach Burlington, New Jersey. Then New York, New York and after Syracuse (Where Harriet met Reverend J.W). They all continued going north, where it was colder and colder.
Resolution: After a month, late in December, they reached St. Catharines Canada West. St. Catharines had a bone-biting cold, but they came to love it there. Harriet rented a small house; The fugitives lived there, and they all worked in the forest, cooking or cleaning houses. She sometimes remembered Maryland and its mellowness. For the next six years, she spent the winter in Canada; During the summer and spring, she worked in Cape May or in Philadelphia; Twice a year during spring and fall, she entered slave territory for running off more slaves. Because regardless of the conditions, for her freedom meant more than anything else.
Conflict
Man vs Man: In the first instance, the fight between all slaves and the English colonizers was the main problem that Harriet faced. She knew that they were mistreating the slaves and had to help them to run away. So, they wouldn’t get caught and punished. Harriet without anyone noticing managed to fool the plantation master and protect her own race that was being mistreated. The story itself mentions that the man from the farm house refused to let them in. Due to this, they had to deal with hunger and bad weather. Also, the slaves lost the little trust they had on Harriet; Since, none of her shelter, food promises and stories were fulfilled. Lastly (during the climax of the story), the slave wanted to go back to the plantation and Harriet used extreme measures (She used a gun) to threaten them. She didn’t want to, but after explaining why they couldn’t go back the slaves started to trust her more.
Man vs Nature: Throughout the story, the coldness of the dark nights is mentioned. How they became slower; how they couldn’t make fire, because if they did, they could have gotten caught; and how they had to walk through the cold winter weather. The conflict would be Harriet (and the slaves) vs the cold weather.
Man vs Self: Since she had to take eleven people to Canada her mental strength and courage was important to lead and manage the conditions to escape and run away.
Man vs Society: The Fugitive Slave Law and other laws were a risk to the slaves, runaways and Harriet, because they not only deprived slaves from basic rights but could also punish them due to escaping. Harriet had to make sure that they weren’t caught or captured. By contrast, the racism and disrespect towards slaves was the main cause of their escape.
Theme: Personally, I consider that the main themes in the story are faith and freedom. Two values that were really important to reach their destinations. Sacrifice and encouragement also play a big role in the story’s theme and development. We may notice sacrifice in Harriet’s behavior and actions, and how she guided and encouraged the slaves.
Tone: The tone used by the author is assertive, empathetic, emotional, and realistic.
Mood : It goes through several stages. In the beginning it has an anxious, urging, threatening and sullen mood. Nevertheless, Harriet tries to keep a warm, trustful, safe and encouraging mood with her actions and stories.
Voice : The narrator's voice is third person limited.
What are some forms of modern slavery? What are differences between modern slavery and ancient slavery?
Slavery is known to be a condition in which a human being is under enslavement. Meaning that the human is owned by another person. These control the slaves actions and the slaves are usually deprived of their rights.
Even though, slavery is often considered part of the past, there are several types and forms of modern slavery. Such as:
Human Trafficking
Sex trafficking (As well as, children sex trafficking)
Forced labor (Debt bondage, Domestic servitude, forced child labor)
Unlawful Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.
There are basic differences
Historical slavery was legal, while modern slavery is considered illegal. So, for it to continue in the present day corruption or not proper management of countries.
It occurred in all countries and was considered normal. It was present in the ancient civilizations, like: Egypt, the ancient China, Ancient Greece, ancient India, the Roman Empire, American colonies (Spanish, French and English), etc. Nowadays, there are specific places where slavery has higher levels (Starting with Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific).
The levels of slavery have increased, but it is ignored or undercover since it only happen in certain parts of the world. Usually, places where war and extreme poverty is present.
Old or historical slavery was controlled by the state or Government that was highly involved. Modern slavery is avoided by the Government.
These being only some basic differences between slavery throughout history.
Biography analyzed by
Natalia Pérez, Step 8 Yellow.
