Literary Devices In The Underground Railroad

This book is what gives us the background knowledge needed to really understand the content we receive in the course. One of the ways it aligns with the content is that education on slavery in the south side is always given but we tend to forget that slavery existed in the north as well. We hear about southern plantation owners, southern slavery and everything happening there but we do not often hear about the slavery that existed in the north. This is also the time in which the “seasoning” period was seen. The “seasoning” period was seen as a time in which the slaves who were seen as “the best” were sent off to the Caribbean where here they were traded with sugar, and tobacco.

This helped them began to identify approaches that could have been destructive to students’. Some teachers may have been implying that slavery was necessary to make the country progress. They also found that teaching students about exceptional slave stories, as if they were common, was also harmful. Very little slaves were treated like humans and teaching children this could be very problematic. Gilbert states, that some of these methods disregarded students unspoken feelings, therefore they discussed how to teach agency.

Reading the book, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead depict the life of Cora as she travels on the underground railroad. On her travels the trains make certain stops or should I say certain states like South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, etc. These states represent or symbolize the problems slaves had to face while trying to pursue freedom on the Underground Railroad. These problems can range from being whipped to death, or the master having unconsent sex with the male slave’s wife. Reading these chapters in this novel helped shaped on how slaves told about their life problems in a narrative way

The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses that organized by people who helped runaway men, women and children slaves. From the years 1780 until the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 enslaved individuals would run away in hopes to receive help from the free and reach their way up into the northern part of the United States. Many historians have approached this topic in several perspectives. Daniel O. Sayers “The Underground Railroad Reconsidered” provides an overview of the Underground Railroad as a long-term of African-American defiance and marronage. It analyses the political economic impacts across the slave owning sectors, the slave’s culture and the influence of religion on the Underground Railroad.

For years, the institution of slavery existed in the United States and was characterized by the legal, inhumane treatment of those enslaved. One of the most prominent figures during this time was Frederick Douglass, an African-American abolitionist who detailed his own experiences in the practice. Having spent most of his life enslaved and wishing to escape, when he finally did he would find himself in a new and overwhelming situation. In this excerpt of his autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,” he describes his life after escaping slavery and shows how his state of mind goes from being enthusiastic over freedom to suddenly fearful and lonely. To convey his change, Douglass uses deliberate language, such as various

The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass presents an insight into the power differences between a slave and his master. In this account , Douglass proves that slavery destroys not only the slave but also the owner. The “poison of irresponsible power” that masters hold has a damaging effect on their morals and beliefs (Douglas 39). This immense control in the hands of a person will break their kind heart and finest feelings turning them into those of a demon. Douglass uses flashbacks , deep characterization, and appeals to the emotions to address the negative effects of slavery.

She has witnessed the brutal and inhumane treatment of slaves, and her experiences have left her disillusioned with the institution of slavery. She is determined to escape the plantation and to live a life free from the chains of slavery. Cora's motivation is driven by her desire for a better future and a sense of justice for herself and her fellow slaves. Ridgeway, on the other hand, is motivated by money and professional pride. He sees himself as a protector of the institution of slavery, which he believes is necessary for maintaining order and stability in society.

Text 1 and 2 Text 1: This text is about the Underground Railroad which was a movement of people who escaped from their masters and the people who where helping them. We are being told facts from the texts so the interaction is not very personal and here is an example from the text “The network of routes extended through 14 Northern states and “the promised land” of Canada–beyond the reach of fugitive-slave hunters.” The mode is of the text is that is describes slaves and their way to freedom. The purpose of this text is to inform people who are interested in history to know the facts.

The Underground Railroad. A metaphor as it was, it was neither a railroad nor was it even underground. In the time where slavery became a divided issue with the status of legality in various parts of the country, the underground railroad found its beginnings through collective organized efforts from abolitionists and allies alike to help enslaved African americans to escape to territories and states where they could be free from slavery. It was a loosely-developed system that also included series of routes led by “conductors” such as Harriet Tubman, for escaping slaves, or “passengers”.

The Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass shows the imbalance of power between slaves and their masters. In his book, Douglass proves that slavery is a destructive force not only to the slaves, but also for the slaveholders. “Poison of the irresponsible power” that masters have upon their slaves that are dehumanizing and shameless, have changed the masters themselves and their morality(Douglass 39). This amount of power and control in contact with one man breaks the kindest heart and the purest thoughts turning the person evil and corrupt. Douglass uses flashbacks that illustrate the emotions that declare the negative effects of slavery.

The author proves in Georgia that not only was self preservation abundant but also came in different shapes and forms in slave communities. Whitehead proves this through the characters in Georgia. Whether it be Caesar's will to escape, or Cora's protection of her garden, or Nag's "licentious practices." Caesar's will to escape is a pretty evident form of self preservation . Caesar want to escape the Randall Plantation for obvious reasons.

The novel The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead is full of ahistorical elements. In a book about slavery in America, his use of ahistorical elements results in a commentary on racial discrimination and abuse in a unique, narrative way. He portrays every state differently, using each of them as an example of a different type of discrimination. South Carolina is represented as a “progressive” and modern state, with new and innovative ideas on how to treat slaves. It even has the Griffin Building to represent its modernism, even though that wasn 't built historically until 1910.

In this passage Frederick Douglass describes his grandmother, using her as an allegory to represent slavery and the hearts of the people enraptured by it. Depicted in his words, is the presentation of slavery as a whole, drawn together by his grandmother’s end, which he considers to be the deepest conviction of the “infernal character of slavery”. In the passage he claims that the experience has fueled his hatred for slaveholders and their cruel ingratitude, capturing the attention of the readers. Through his clever use of rhetorical devices and language composition, Douglass conveys the cruelty of slaveholders.

In particular, Whitehead’s use of imagery, character interactions and figurative language brings to attention aspects of race relations that were and are still often misunderstood or disregarded by society. It is important to note, however, that the oppressed do not remain oppressed forever as demonstrated by heroine Cora ’s persisting efforts to break free. Thus, through his uncensored narrative of slavery, Whitehead sets precedence for the impassioned social resistance movements in the modern era by arguing that the most enduring road is

In particular, Whitehead’s use of imagery, character interactions and Aristotelian appeals brings to attention aspects of race relations that were and are still often misunderstood or disregarded by society. It is important to note, however, that the oppressed do not remain oppressed forever as demonstrated by heroine Cora ’s persisting efforts to break free. Thus, through his uncensored narrative of slavery, Whitehead sets precedence for the impassioned social resistance movements in the modern era by arguing that the most enduring road is the one that leads