Read the excerpts from Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad by Ann Petry and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs.
Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad
She knew how accurately he would describe her. One of the slaves who could read used to tell the others what it said on the handbills that were nailed up on the trees, along the edge of the roads. It was easy to recognize the handbills that advertised runaways, because there was always a picture in one corner, a picture of a black man, a little running figure with a stick over his shoulder, and a bundle tied on the end of the stick.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
It is not necessary to state how he made his escape. Suffice it to say, he was on his way to New York when a violent storm overtook the vessel. The captain said he must put into the nearest port. This alarmed Benjamin, who was aware that he would be advertised in every port near his own town. His embarrassment was noticed by the captain. To port they went. There the advertisement met the captain’s eye. Benjamin so exactly answered its description, that the captain laid hold on him, and bound him in chains.
How are the authors’ purposes similar in these passages?
Both explain why enslaved people risked their lives to help others escape slavery.
Both criticize free people who tried to stop enslaved people from escaping slavery.
Both persuade readers to do whatever they can to help enslaved people fleeing north.
Both explain to readers that enslaved people who escaped were under constant threat.
