2nd Slave Narratives
Reading these definately enhanced my understanding of slavery. It especially woke me up to how important freedom was, and how they would do anything to gain it. I was especially impressed by Louis Hughes, who tried five times before actually gaining his freedom. It made me appreciate Jim’s journey to slavery and the way Huck helped him.
I thought it was interesting how Louis Hughes described meeting relatives of his old master at the hotel in Milwalkee. I wouldn’t have expected them to be so cordial to him.
It was interesting to read how fondly Annie Burton remembered her “happy, carefree, childhood days” and how the black kids and white kids played together and had lots of fun.
I have never really read that moch about slave auctions. Therefore, I found Louisa Picquet’s account of the auction in which her family was sold very interesting. It made me aware of what degrading experience it must have been to be stripped and examined by possible buyers, like animals. Also, what a heartbreaking experience it must have been to have your family split up. The way she described her mother kneeling down and praying for her daughter was very moving. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to be separated from your from you child of your parents forever.
The John Jacobs narrative was published in London as part of a book called “The Leisure Home”. Apparently people in England, as well as the United States found these narratives interesting.
