Listen to this passage as you read! (Roll over the questions to see the answers) Tubman was born around 1820. How old was she when this biography was published? How might that affect the way she remembered her life? Bradford was a close friend of Tubman. The money from the sales of this book helped Tubman in her efforts to help slaves and ex-slaves. Why would Tubman be called “Moses”? What connections can you see between the lives of these two? In this book, Bradford tried to imitate the speech patterns that she heard in Tubman use. What words here show this kind of effort? Do you think this adds or detracts from the book? Based on what you see here on this title page, do you think the book about Harriet Tubman is an accurate representation of her life? Who do you think would read this book? What things about slavery did Bradford say Tubman noticed? “Flogged” means to be hit repeatedly. Chain gangs were groups of people who were chained together and forced to work. What did Tubman see in her parents’ eyes, according to Bradford? How does the information here help you think about the focus question: What were some of the factors people had to consider as they thought about escaping from slavery? What event happened that made Tubman and her brothers decide to try to escape? “Wrought upon their fears” means that Harriet built her arguments for escape with the idea in mind that her brothers were afraid of being sold south. “Intimation” means hint. Bradford mentions songs as a way of slave communication. When they sang of going home to Canaan or heaven, what did they really mean? What would someone outside the slave community think about Harriet’s song? “Dusky” means rather dark in complexion. What dangers do Harriet and her brothers face in trying to escape? If you faced those dangers, would you have gone with Harriet? How does the information here help you think about the focus question: What were some of the factors people had to consider as they thought about escaping from slavery? This book is a biography as opposed to an autobiography. Which kind of book do you think is more reliable? Close Window