Introduction
The stories of Abraham Galloway, Richard Eden, and Harriet Jacobs described in Slave Narratives of the Underground Railroad illustrate the enslaved individuals’ unwillingness to accept their fate. The stories’ main idea is an escape and the major methods for such dangerous escapes. At the same time, an important aspect of the escapes is the intelligence of its organizers, because without proper planning, nothing would have happened. These people were ready to take risks despite the pain because they had their obligations. In this sense, the narratives indicate that with ample motivation, it is possible to flee even in unsurvivable conditions. In this article, there will be some specific points such as flight from slavery, its conditions and attitude towards slaves.
Intelligence
Though the two narratives cover two stories with different people, they still have similarities. For example, the first similarity is that the individuals were all intelligent and inventive. Abraham is described as “mulatto, five feet six inches high, intelligent and the picture of good health” (“Abraham Galloway and Richard Eden” 71). Abraham and his intimate friend’s intelligence and inventiveness lie within their escape method. The thirst for freedom as the main motive for escape pushed the men to escape on a ship filled with turpentine alcohol, since this was the only way to escape. Abram and Richard’s creative minds quickly devised a safeguard against the smoke to help them survive this predicament (“Abraham Galloway and Richard Eden” 73). They had made the decision to fight against death for freedom in this way, because they had reasons to run away, they wanted to be free.
As for Harriet Jacobs, the woman ran away from the enslavers, hiding in her friends’ places. This woman was smart, and it is described that she “can read and write” (“Harriet Jacobs” 136). Her writing skills not only helped her escape but allowed her to share her story afterward. In her autobiography, Jacobs talks about her escape, the assistance she obtained from relatives and friends, her encounters with a ship captain and members of the Anti-Slavery Society, her fear for her children, and her terror of being found as a fugitive. All these people played an important role in her release.
The Pain of Slavery
Another similarity between the narratives is the unwillingness to undergo such a lifestyle. At the age of 21, Harriet Jacobs fled because she was unable to live in slavery or with the rape and torture that was a slave woman’s particular misery (“Harriet Jacobs” 136). In turn, Richard and Abram shared close friendships and were neighbors, and since they were in comparable situations, they dared to share their innermost thoughts with one another. Abraham shares his vision and the reason for escape, which was the inability to be the master of one’s own life, “he was not allowed to own himself” (“Abraham Galloway and Richard Eden” 71). Abram was dissatisfied, although he never suffered any personal mistreatment. Still, he was against slavery, and the notion of constantly working for somebody else made him frustrated.
Commitment
Lastly, another similarity and method of escape of both stories is commitment, without which the escapes would be impossible. Richard and Abram made the decision to ride the Underground Rail Road since they decided that “liberty was worth dying for, and that it was their duty to strike for Freedom even if it should cost them their lives” (“Abraham Galloway and Richard Eden” 73). Likewise, Harriet discussed how she took the risky journey and made up her mind that “there would be no way back. Her philosophy was “Give me liberty, or give me death” (“Harriet Jacobs” 137). Despite the struggles, the woman persevered and did not give in to the challenges.
Conclusion
Hence, the central theme of the stories is an escape and the key factors for such a risky escape. In this way, the stories show that even in life-threatening situations, it is possible to depart with strong motivation. The two narratives share commonalities even though they each detail a separate story involving a different person. All of these people had certain traits in common, their intelligence and originality. The refusal to adopt such a lifestyle is another commonality between the stories. Lastly, commitment, without which the escapes would not be possible, is another similarity and route of escape in both scenarios.
Work Cited
“Harriet Jacobs.” Slave Narratives of the Underground Railroad, edited by Christine Rudisel and Bob Blaisdell, Dover, 2014, 136-155.
“Abraham Galloway and Richard Eden.” Slave Narratives of the Underground Railroad, edited by Christine Rudisel and Bob Blaisdell, Dover, 2014, 71-74.