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11r <br /> }, O <br /> Philadelphia, <br /> ?i .. Freedom,Love, ••- Determination <br /> Henry i Y } <br /> "Box" former slave <br /> Ellen former r former <br /> Slave Narrative <br /> 9 <br /> Abolitionist <br /> Emancipation <br /> Mulatto <br /> Middle Passage <br /> Slave • <br /> The Fugitive Slave Law <br /> Discussion Guestions = <br /> - The play opens with an African listing the horrors associated with the arrival of slave traders and the journeys of <br /> `those captured and enslaved.His last words are,"In the beginning there was freedom`:Now'there is only hope." <br /> Why did he choose the word"hope"?Why not"sadness;'despair"or"desperation'? <br /> Consider the words spoken by the"Founding Father" "V1/e hold These truths to be self-evident that all men are <br /> created equal,that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights;that among those are life,liberty and the pursuit <br /> of happiness:')andPatrick Henry( Is life so dear'or peace'so sweet,as to be purchased at the price of chains and <br /> slavery?Forbid it, Alaighty God t know not what course others may take;but as for me,give me liberty or giverrfe <br /> death.').Why weren't. these statements applicable to slaves(even those born in this country}? <br /> - The Crafts chose to"hide in plain sight"and succeeded in_ eir escape.What does this tell us about the perceptions <br /> of many southern citizens of the time regarding the abllrties and intellect ofAfrican Americans?Whoseescape scenario <br /> was more flaring—:the Craft's or Henry BoX"Browns? <br /> ` <br /> - <br /> Following heir escape,the Crafts'former owners"charged them with"stealing themselves and their clothes."Discuss <br /> the:wordiing of this charge as it relates to the relationship between slaves and their owners. <br /> - Define the word"pious."John F Allen,Henry Brown's overseer,considered himself a pious man—teaching children <br /> at Sunday school and shouting scriptures at working slaves.How might people like:McAllen have justified their treatment <br /> of slaves with respect to the teachings of the Bible? <br /> - <br /> He Brown and The Crafts made"desperate leaps"to gain theirApersonal freedom.Name some types of freedom you <br /> desire and the"leaps"you're taking or would be willing to take to'insure you obtain them." <br /> - Think about the physical restraints put on slaves to keep them bound to their masters.Now consider the mental <br /> "restraints"used.Cite some examples and explain how these tactics prevented slaves from seeking their freedom.Is one <br /> of these two approaches any crueler than the other or are they equally debilitating? <br /> - Henry Brown telis'us that many slaveholders on their deathbeds freed their slaves.What are some reasons these owners o <br /> may have taken this action?'As a token of appreciation?Disagreeing with the principles of slavery,but feeling compelled to <br /> participate based on their southern heritage?Out of concern for their destination in the afterlife? a, <br /> - Discuss the power and presence of love in;the stories of Henry,Brown and the Crafts.What risks'were the characters, r <br /> willing or forced to take to protect,honor or pursue love?Did it appear many siavehoiders were not willing to,believe., <br /> slaves were capable of feeling this emotion?If not,why? <br /> - In the preface to Henry Brown's slave narrative,Charles Stearns writes,"Here is the plain narrative of our friend,and is it <br /> asking too much of you,whose sympathies;may be aroused by the recital which follows,to continue to peruse these p es a• <br /> until the cause of all his suffering is depicted before you,and your duty is pointed out? "What 1s he speaking of? o� <br /> Are there current"stories of human suffering that motivate you to act on behalf of another? � <br /> Recommended Reading &Viewing <br /> Narrative of Henry Box Brown by Henry Brown and Charles Stearns <br /> Great Stove Narratives compiled byArna Bontemps <br /> Born a Child of Freedoml a Slave by Norece Jones <br /> Incidents in the Life of o Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs <br /> American YaIue:Equality from Teaching Tolerance,visit http://www.tolerance.org/activity/american-value-equality <br /> Fie story of the Grafts is only included in the full-length version of the play. <br /> n,Etenry Box.Narrative of Henry Box Brown.Philadelphia,PA:Rhistoric Publications,1969.Print. <br /> t <br /> foducnons 931 Homestead Park Dr. Apex NC 27502 919.614.0096 www:mikewileyproduciions.com <br />