What Do Fish Have to Do with Anything?
What is the author’s main purpose for writing the story?
to teach a lesson about life
Why does the lady described at the beginning of the reading passage wear a veil?
to disguise her appearance
What does Garrett’s courtroom speech tell you about him?
He was still devoted to helping runaway slaves.
Why did Sarah Bradford write this biography of Harriet Tubman?
to inspire people to follow Tubman’s example
In “Life of Harriet Tubman, No.15,” what effect does the artist achieve by making the people seem so small against an enormous sky?
Tubman and the runaways are all alone in the middle of a long and uncertain journey.
What about Willie worries Mrs. Markham?
his many questions and doubts
What was Wilmington a hazardous stop on the Underground Railroad?
It was constantly under surveillance by slave catchers.
By the time the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, approximately how many runaway slaves had Garrett helped?
5,400
Why did Harriet Tubman’s joy upon reaching freedom turn into sorrow?
She realized she was alone.
Which best supports the idea that freeing people from slavery required hard work and sacrifice?
“All her wages she laid away for the one purpose of liberating her people.”
What does the method Mrs. Markham uses to cut the cake reveal about her character?
She is logical and stern.
Which is NOT mentioned in the article as a way that Thomas Garrett helped runaway slaves?
defending them against violent slave owners
How is that we know as much as we do about Harriet Tubman?
from the letters Thomas Garrett sent to her or wrote about her
Which words would you expect to see in any description of an escape from slavery?
dangerous and hard
Why did Harriet Tubman lead escaped slaves all the way to Canada, and not just to the North
because of the Fugitive Slave Law
Which event reveals the greatest change in Willie’s character?
He learns about human needs by speaking with the homeless man.
Which is NOT a factor that aided Garrett in sending slaves to freedom?
donations from foreign countries
What did African-Americans in Wilmington celebrate in 1870?
the Fifteenth Amendment being passed into law
How are Harriet and the jailed man in her story most similar?
They both feel as though there is no one around to comfort them.
What would Harriet Tubman most likely say about the importance of money?
The value of money comes from the good you can do for others with it.
Which statement best explains the symbol of the cake?
The sweetness of life is meant to be shared and enjoyed.
What was the result of the verdict against Thomas Garrett?
He had to pay a huge fine.
Which sentence from the story supports the main idea that fugitives were always helped by Thomas Garrett, no matter what the cost or risk?
ANSWERS MAY VARY
EXAMPLE:“He would have gone without food himself before he would have refused food to a hungry slave.”
What character traits did Harriet want to portray by refusing to be paid for her services to the Union Army during the Civil War?
self-sufficiency and independence
How is “The Life of Harriet Tubman” different from the other selections about the Underground Railroad?
It relies on symbolism and imagery to convey larger themes relevant to Tubman’s life.