Harriet Tubman Outline Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry. New York: Harper Collin s publishers, 1996.

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1 1 Harriet Tubman: Outline 1 Harriet Tubman Outline Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry. New York: Harper Collin s publishers, Setting: This story begins on a plantation belonging to Edward Brodas in Dorchester County. Dorchester County was located near Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. There were many streams, creeks, and river that flowed through the area. There was so much water around the land that one could see the ebb and flow of the sea many miles inland, and the area was given the nickname: Tidewater, Maryland. Throughout the story we follow Harriet northward, reaching as far as Canada on her various journeys along the Underground Railroad on the quest for freedom. Some of the locations highlighted in Harriet s journeys are Auburn, New York as well as St. Catherine s in Canada West (which is now Ontario). The year that the story begins is This is the year Harriet Tubman was born. The story ends the year Harriet dies in At the time slavery was very prominent throughout the southern states. Organization: This book is organized chronologically. The book recounts the story of Harriet Tubman s 92 years of life from birth until death. It has a total of 22 chapters that span 242 pages. Each chapter averages ten pages in length, but the lengths tend to vary from chapter to chapter. The end of each chapter is followed by a short paragraph of historical information in italics. This information often relates to the events that have occurred in the preceding chapter. Sometimes, the relevance is not necessarily in the event, but simply in the time the events take place. These passages are helpful because they allow the reader more insight on the history of America throughout Harriet Tubman s lifetime. Point of View: The narrator of this story is not a character. The story is told from a third person omniscient point of view. We gain insight on more than one character s thoughts and feelings. For example, in the following passage we read about the feelings of Old Rit: Old Rit hated the silence that fell over the cabin afterward a hush that spread and spread, and the shadows on the walls seemed to deepen (20). Most often we see into Harriet s thoughts, such as in the following passage: She [Harriet] lifted her head proudly. She would never let either of them know that a world had collapsed for her, a dream had been destroyed (119). Main Characters: Family: Harriet Tubman/ Minta / Moses : Harriet is the main character of the story. She grew up as a slave on the Brodas plantation and eventually discovered the

2 2 Harriet Tubman: Outline 2 secret of finding freedom through the Underground Railroad. Harriet was an incredibly selfless character who helped many other slaves escape to Canada to gain freedom. She also served as a spy and a nurse during times of the Civil War. John Tubman: Johan was Harriet s husband; also a slave; very stubborn and did not want to allow/accompany Harriet on her escape north to freedom; eventually remarried after Harriet was gone. Harriet Greene (Old Rit): Harriet s mother; also a slave; she could not read or write Benjamin Ross: Harriet s father; main source of Harriet s knowledge for the outdoors; spent lots of time teaching Harriet how to walk silently, follow the north star and survive in the outdoors (in anticipation of someday running away) Masters: Doc Thompson: The master that takes over the plantation Harriet grew up on after Edward Brodas died. Edward Brodas: Original owner of the plantation Harriet grew up on; was always rather kind to his slaves, but eventually ran into economic problems and sold many of his slaves south to make money. Mr. & Mrs. James Cook: The first family Harriet was sold to (after living on the Brodas plantation). She fell very ill checking the muskrat traps for the Cooks. Miss Susan: Cruel lady who owned Harriet for a short while; made Harriet do housework and punished her very severely for doing it incorrectly. Other Slaves/Abolitionists: Nat Turner: He was called the prophet and believed he really was one. Tice Davids: A slave who managed to run away from his owner and escape to freedom by means of the Underground Railroad; he became a legend among other slaves. William Still: Kept a very detailed record of all the slaves that came through his home on the Underground Railroad. Thomas Garret: One of the many people along the Underground Railroad that helped the slaves escape and gain freedom. John Brown: He was an abolitionist who admired Harriet. He was eventually sentenced to death. Conflicts: Person vs. Person- Harriet vs. John Tubman: Harriet wanted nothing more than to escape to the north for freedom. John stubbornly refused to come along, and threatened to go to the master if she tried to run away.

3 3 Harriet Tubman: Outline 3 Harriet vs. Miss Susan: Harriet easily agitated Miss Susan because she did not know how to do proper housework. Miss Susan was cruel, and whipped Harriet quite severely as a form of punishment. Harriet vs. the fugitives: There were many occasions in which the fugitives would lose hope, or become frightened and wish to turn back. Harriet always stuck to her ideal that they would go as a group and nobody was allowed to turn back. Person vs. Nature- Harriet vs. cold winter weather: While working for Mr. and Mrs. Cook out on the muskrat trap lines, Harriet fell severely ill from exposure to the cold winter weather conditions. Harriet vs. the river: While helping fugitives escape, Harriet came across a river she had never tried crossing before. She help fast to a vision she believed the Lord had given her, and successfully waded across in the spot she had seen in her dream. Harriet vs. the land: While escaping as a fugitive, Harriet faced many challenges against the land. She had to learn how to find food and survive outdoors. She also had to master the art of walking noiselessly through the woods. Person vs. Self- Harriet vs. self: As a young girl, Harriet thought a lot about running away. She tried to run away from Miss Susan s home, but ended up turning back. It took a long time for her to work up the courage and strength it took to escape. Person vs. Society- Harriet vs. the confederacy: With the Fugitive Slave Law in order, Harriet (as well as many others) were at great risk of sever punishment for assisting fugitives on their escapes. She constantly had to be on the lookout for anyone who might be an enemy. Great rewards were offered for her capture, so she always had to be leery about the people she could trust. Harriet (and other slaves) vs. the confederate states: Harriet, and every other Africa American, had to deal with a society that was racist and disrespectful. They were judged solely based on the color of their skin. Most African Americans were subjected to a lifetime of slavery. Plot Structure: Introduction:

4 4 Harriet Tubman: Outline 4 The initial setting is introduced. We learn about the lands on the coast of Maryland and become acquainted with the setup on Edward Brodas plantation (1-4). Harriet Ross is born to Old Rit and Benjamin Ross both slaves on the Brodas plantation (5-7). Rising Action: Things have not been going well economically for the plantation owners, therefore they are selling many slaves south. The slaves quietly express their concerns and discuss freedom (8-10). The slaves share their stories about the rumors they have heard concerning a slave named Denmark Vesey. Denmark could read and write, and work on spreading the idea that all men need to be treated equally (15-16). Harriet s father Ben passed down his knowledge of the outdoors to her. She learned about the weather, the land, the rivers, the animals and the plants. All of these skills would some day become very useful while helping the slaves escape north (21-23). In 1826 at the age of 6, Harriet was sold off the plantation to a poor white couple Mr. and Mrs. James Cook (31). Harriet s job was setting Muskrat traps out in the cold river. She became so sick she had to be sent back to the Brodas plantation to recover. There was a husky quality to her voice that never went away after she became sick (34-35). Harriet was sold again to a new owner Miss Susan. Harriet was to tend to the baby and do housework. She did not know how to properly clean and was badly whipped as a punishment (42-45). Harriet ran away from Miss Susan s house and took refuge in a pigpen. Five days later she was so hungry she had no choice but to return. Shortly thereafter, Miss Susan returned Harriet to the Brodas plantation (46-48). Harriet heard the story about a slave named Tice Davids. He ran away from his owner and suddenly disappeared as if on an Underground Railroad. This sparked Harriet s fascination with the Underground Railroad (51-54). Harriet is accidentally struck with a two-pound weight hurled into her forehead. This caused dangerous episodes of sleep that continued for the rest of her life (63). Edward Brodas, the plantation master, dies and the slaves are turned over to a new master named Doc Thompson (70-71). Harriet and her father Ben are hired out to a master named John Stewart. Harriet is allowed to do men s work for Stewart rather than women s housework (73-75). Ben works with Harriet teaching her how to walk through the woods without making a single sound, so that one day she might be able to run away (76-77). Harriet is married to a man named John Tubman in John was also a slave (80). When Harriet considers running away, her husband threatens to go to the master and tell him (86).

5 5 Harriet Tubman: Outline 5 Harriet learns that she and her brothers were to be sold to the chain gang. She makes the decision to go north alone and escape (93-96). Harriet has her first experience with the Underground Railroad as a kind woman takes her in one night, and directs her to the next safe spot along the way (97). When Harriet reached Philadelphia, she heard talk of the newly passed Fugitive Slave Law, which severely punished those who were harboring slaves and helping them escape (114). Harriet comes back to the plantation to free her husband and discovers that he was remarried to a woman named Caroline. He refused to leave and Harriet is heartbroken (118). Despite the fact that John would not come with her, Harriet continued her efforts and brought others (not related to her) to safety in Canada. Harriet became a legend among the slaves on the eastern shore. They referred to her as Moses ( ). Harriet begins to lead her largest group of runaways yet 11 slaves. They have trouble finding help because not many people were willing to take in 11 fugitives at once ( ). In December, 1851 after nearly a month of travel, Harriet made it to Canada with all 11 fugitives (145). Harriet makes yet another trip to bring more slaves to freedom including her brothers. They eventually made it safely to St. Catherine s, Canada ( ). From 1851 to 1857 the country approached the Civil War. Harriet made 11 more trips to free slaves (170). Harriet has a spiritual dream about being able to wade across a river she had never crossed in her life. She always held on to the Lord for comfort in knowing she could succeed, and she did (174). Climax: Harriet continues to have dreams that seem to come from messages from the Lord. She has vivid dreams about her parents being sold, and decides to go back for them ( ). Since her parents are so elderly, it was challenging to find a way to help them escape. She had to steal Doc Thompson s horse and wagon. In the end, they made a successful trip to Auburn, New York where Harriet bought her parents a home ( ). Falling Action: Harriet s success spreads and she becomes highly demanded as an abolitionist speaker (208). Harriet becomes frustrated with her period of inactivity, so one day she successfully helps a slave named Nalle escape from a trial by creating a large diversion in the street (217). States that have left the union joined together to form a new union called the Confederate States of America (221). Harriet works for the Military department for about two years time as a nurse and a spy. ( ).

6 6 Harriet Tubman: Outline 6 President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth and died on April 15, 1865 (231). Harriet learns of the death of her husband, John Tubman. He was murdered in Talbot County, Maryland (233). Mrs. Sarah Hopkins Bradford begins writing biographies of Harriet s life, to help raise money ( ). Harriet remarried to a man named Nelson Davis, who died shortly thereafter in Oct. of 1888 (235). In 1903 Harriet turned her home over to the church to be used as a shelter for the sick (240). Resolution: Harriet Tubman passed away on March 10, A bronze plate inscribed with details about her life was placed outside the courthouse in Auburn, in tribute to Harriet s memory. Style: This story is written in a very straightforward style. The language is not difficult to understand, therefore the story although lengthy, would be comprehensible for younger reading ages. Ann Petry incorporates many important historical details that do not necessarily happen to Harriet, but occur at the same time that the story is taking place. For example, things like the passing of laws, important trials against slaves and abolitionists (such as Thomas Garrett), and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln are interwoven throughout the text. The descriptions of the scenes in this book paint vivid pictures in the reader s mind. Many details are given about the way of life on the plantations, the living quarters for the slaves as well as the harsh punishment they often had to endure. Symbols: The Northern Star: This was a symbol Harriet recognized from the time she was a little girl. It was said that the star could be used as a guide to the North, where freedom could be found. Harriet s Bandana: This was a symbol of her maturity. Once Harriet began wearing her bandana around her head, it meant she was no longer a child, but a woman who was to work. Harriet s Quilt: This symbolizes Harriet s love and devotion to John Tubman. It was to be offered as a wedding gift. At first, her fingers were calloused and clumsy and she struggled to make it, but she put a lot of effort and pride into her work regardless of the struggle. This was similar to the way she always loved John, regardless of the conflicts they faced throughout their marriage.

7 7 Harriet Tubman: Outline 7 Harriet: Harriet, herself became a symbol of strength to her people. She became a legend throughout the states and people began to call her Moses because she was so successful in helping people escape to freedom. Music: The music seen throughout the story is a symbol of hope and refuge. The slaves knew they would be punished for speaking about freedom and escape, so instead they communicated their ideas through the underlying messages in songs and poetry. When the slaves could sing and talk about their dreams, it gave them immeasurable strength. Scars: The scars are a symbol of the cruelty endured by the slaves. For instance, Harriet s mother instantly realized how terribly Miss Susan had treated Harriet when she saw the marks across Harriet s back. These scars came from painful whippings that were a form of punishment. Even after the wounds healed, they left dark heavy marks that served as a reminder of the pain that would never be forgotten. Horse and Wagon: These are a symbol of protection on the way to freedom; there are several instances where Harriet is a stowaway in one, uses one, or gives one to someone to help them get away; each time they make it to freedom. Gun: The gun is a symbol of safety and the commitment of making it to freedom. Harriet carried the gun for protection, but also to ensure that nobody abandoned the group while traveling. Themes: Keep faith in what you believe, no matter how much you struggle: Harriet s life was in constant danger with all the risks she took throughout her life. If it would not have been for her faith in her Lord, she probably would not have the courage or the strength it took to do what she did. Always stick together and leave nobody behind: This was a motto that Harriet was always true to while helping fugitives escape. People would often become scared, or lose the strength to carry on, but she always insisted, We got to go free, or die. If one person fails, they all fail. Harriet was always very talented at inspiring other to continue. One of the most important things you will ever have is family: This theme is reinforced throughout the novel when we see Harriet s great concern for her parent, siblings and husband s freedom. Once she had reached the north and gained her own freedom, it was not enough. She could not rest until she went back and saw that her whole family was set free as well. Do not let others hold you back from your dreams: Ever since Harriet was young, Harriet dreamed of being free and was destined to do so. Despite what little support she received from her husband and the constant dangers she faced along the way she still managed to accomplish her dream.