Literary Analysis Essay on "The Story of Harriet Tubman"

Introduction

The book "The Story of Harriet Tubman " by Dorothy Sterling is an interesting read based on a true story of Harriet Tubman, a lady who escaped slavery and was on the quest of finding freedom on a famed underground Railroad. Unfortunately, that never happens since she finds herself repeatedly returning and just like the biblical Moses, now in a female context, she finds herself leading a vast majority of her people from the bondage of slavery. Harriet, therefore amidst unfair and brutal slavery, juxtaposes to convey a rebellious spirit coupled with an unfailing inspiring determination to fulfill her freedom quest.

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Harriet's story is a vivid representation of US history during the period of slavery and the brutal ways in which the slaves were being treated through the harsh treatments that she and other slaves endured. Some of the fascinating aspects of the story were the moments of Harriet's escape and her numerous return trips. Albeit some elements of the story were very emotional and presented slightly drier tone, and one cannot help but sympathize with Harriet together with other slaves. That was particularly profound in the realms where Harriet began her contributions as a Union soldier and a spokesperson on behalf of the slaves thus a presentation of an outstanding tribute in a true African heroine's life.

The book underlies issues of slavery, human cruelty, and racism which are carefully articulated and well presented in the book in such a way that the reader becomes concerned rightfully as opposed to being traumatized. Similarly, the book presents various aspects of profanity like the biblical scenarios, albeit use in extraordinary fashions; for instance, Harriet is a representation of the biblical Moses. Just like Moses saved the Israelites from slavery and led the way, Harriet, through her sheer determination, the quest for freedom and utmost rebellious spirit, she keeps her people from slavery and as a union leader and spokesperson leads the way. Harriet, therefore, acted as heroin, albeit obstacles, struggles and stumbling blocks on her way, thereby managing to save her people from the bondage of slavery.

The book portrays how slavery can be monstrously cruel, coupled with the underscoring of the despicable aspects of the odious notion that some people have the authority to own fellow human beings. Perhaps it is for this notion that Harriet opts to seek freedom and escape from her Maryland plantations against all the odds to Philadelphia, where she views to be her freedom land. After joining the Abolitionist movement led by William Still in her newfound area of freedom, Philadelphia, she opts to return to the South to save her people and to bring them to Philadelphia, where she views to be the Promised Land (Sterling, 1987). She hopes to achieve her mission with the help of the noble, heroic rescuers through the Underground Railroad. Her struggles, determination, zeal and zest in saving her people portray her fearless nature. Additionally, her private insight of private life is also underscored in the story, as a daughter, sister, and wife.it is no wonder she is the protagonist of the story.

A peculiar aspect of this story is seen when her master hits her head with a metallic object during her childhood, making her suffer a cracked skull, an incident that informs her constant hallucinations throughout her life. Her warnings were a representation of God communicating with her; hence her struggle for justice for her and other slaves. Sterling presents Harriet's exciting life exploits as an enslaved woman since childhood and emerges as a superhero by saving herself and her people from slavery. She was born into slavery, and the only things she was are of were hunger and hard work and escaped to her seemed next to impossible and dangerous owing to her ruthless master who was never willing to let her go in spite of her cracked skull that made her sleep more often.

The book is an inspiration to man through the protagonist Harriet, who at a tender age of fifteen, was courageous and strong-willed (Sterling, 1987). She had a dream that someday she would be free, and as fate had it, her idea came to pass when she finally escaped to the North through the Underground Rail that eases a secret route where slaves used to escape. Her selflessness and courage are portrayed when instead of staying at The North after successfully escaping, she comes back to save other slaves from the bondage of slavery, something that she was determined to achieve in spite of all odds. She never forgot about her people after her escape and on many occasions in the book, she risked her life to come back for them and lead them through the escape route, a journey that she juxtaposed to venture in, albeit very dangerous. Her life's bold and daring actions throughout the story are what informs the fascinating and breathtaking aspects of the story.

The book is a true inspiration and the length through which a young lady can go to save her people. It is a vivid representation of courage, and emblem of sacrifice and a true definition of irrepressible spirit portrayed through the true-life story of a young woman Harriet during the period when slavery was dominant in the United States. A reader cannot help but empathize with Harriet, especially on the emotional aspects of the story like an instance where Mistress beats Harriet after running away. As if that is not enough, Harriet develops measles yet the family that she has been lent to fails to fails to notice that and instead tasks her with more work until she cannot endure anymore, making her collapse and is unable to get up. To add salt to injury, when a slave owner threw a heavy metal at the slave, it accidentally hits Harriet on the head, making her sustain head injury where Harriet nearly dies. Still, luckily she survives, albeit has to live with permanent damage on the head that affects the entire aspects of her life through constant hallucinations and sleep. The worst incident was when a runaway slave Nat Turner and his cohorts were hung for their disobedience (Sterling, 1987). The story, therefore, presents both fascinating and emotional aspects to the reader. However, with a bad beginning for the slaves who endure suffering, they are finally saved by the courageous and heroic young lady Harriet.

Reference

Sterling. (1987, May).Freedom Train: Story of Harriet Tubman. Good reads. Retrieved fromhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/734529.Freedom_Train