Write An Essay Addressing Three Major Themes

Write An Essay Addressing Three Major Themes Disc

Write an essay addressing three major themes discussed in Stuart Sprague, His Promised Land. Your essay should include a brief summary of the book—no more than two or three paragraphs—and a thoughtful analysis of how Sprague addresses your identified themes in his work. In your conclusion be sure to discuss what Parker’s story reveals about the slaves who resisted the institution by running away. Your essays will be graded on your demonstrated knowledge of the work, the strength of your analysis, and grammar. Your essay should adhere to the following guidelines: 1. Your essay is to be typed using a 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial) 2. Your review should be 800 words in length. 3. Your essay should be double-spaced and have a one-inch margin on ALL sides. 4. All essays are to be submitted on the paper due date. I will dock late essays one letter grade for every day they are late. Any papers not meeting all of the above requirements will be unacceptable. If you find yourself having problems or questions regarding the essays, please get with me before the due date. Academic Honesty and Plagiarism All assignments, essays, and exams are expected to be the work of the student claiming credit for them. Anything short of this is a violation of the University’s Academic Honor Code as detailed in Tennessee State University Undergraduate Catalog. No collaboration or sharing of rough drafts, notes, or final papers is allowed. Failure to observe and comply with the honor code will result in an "F" in the course. Paper Format 1) Place the citation at the top of 1- His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad. By Stuart Seely Sprague. New York: W.W. Norton and Co., 1998., $5.00. 2) If you use a direct quote, use parenthetical citation: “My dog has fleas” (p.1). 3) Place your name and class at the end of the last in the following manner:

Paper For Above instruction

Stuart Sprague’s “His Promised Land” offers a compelling autobiography of John P. Parker, a former slave who became a conductor on the Underground Railroad. The book vividly recounts Parker’s harrowing experiences under slavery, his daring escapes, and his unwavering commitment to liberate others from bondage. Sprague’s narrative not only provides a personal history of resistance but also contextualizes the broader struggles and persistence of enslaved African Americans who sought freedom despite insurmountable risks.

The autobiography is structured around themes of resilience, courage, and the quest for freedom. Parker’s detailed testimonies illuminate how enslaved people resisted their oppressors through subtle acts of defiance, escape, and running away. The work also explores the moral and spiritual resolve that sustained Parker and others like him in the face of brutal oppression. Throughout the book, Sprague emphasizes the importance of individual agency in the fight against slavery, showcasing Parker’s resourcefulness and unwavering resolve to assist others in gaining their freedom—even at great personal risk.

One of the major themes in Sprague’s narrative is the indomitable resilience of enslaved people. Parker’s story exemplifies how their spirits remained unbroken despite brutal circumstances. The act of running away or resisting slavery was not merely an act of self-preservation but also a profound statement of defiance against an unjust system. Sprague highlights instances where enslaved individuals, inspired by hope and and the desire for freedom, plotted daring escapes, risking their lives repeatedly. The resilience displayed by Parker and others underscores a powerful message: that even within oppressive conditions, the human spirit can prevail and seek liberation.

A second central theme is the moral courage embodied by Parker and other conductors on the Underground Railroad. Sprague portrays Parker as a figure of moral conviction who continually risks his safety to assist others. This courage stems from a profound sense of justice and compassion, which motivated him to defy the oppressive slavery system openly. Sprague discusses how such acts of moral bravery were essential in challenging the legitimacy of slavery and bolstered the collective effort to undermine the institution. Parker’s unwavering resolve demonstrates that moral courage can dismantle dehumanizing systems from within, inspiring ongoing resistance efforts.

The third major theme involves the strategic and clandestine nature of resistance through escape. Sprague documents the sophisticated network of individuals and safe houses that supported runaways, which was instrumental in thwarting the reach of slave catchers and ensuring the safety of escapees. Parker’s own involvement in the underground railroad exemplifies this strategic resistance, highlighting the importance of cooperation, secrecy, and ingenuity. Sprague portrays these escapes as acts of collective defiance that challenged the rigidity and brutality of the slavery system, showing that resistance took many forms, from outright rebellion to secretive networks of rescue.

In conclusion, Sprague’s account of Parker’s life illuminates how resistance in slavery was multifaceted—rooted in resilience, moral courage, and strategic ingenuity. Notably, Parker’s story reveals that running away was more than a physical act; it was an act of moral defiance and a rejection of slavery’s dehumanization. Parker’s daring escapes and his role in the Underground Railroad symbolize the broader struggle of enslaved Africans resisting their bondage through acts of bravery and determination. These stories highlight that resistance was not merely individual but merged into collective efforts that ultimately contributed to the abolition of slavery. Parker’s life exemplifies how enslaved people’s acts of resistance—whether running away or assisting others—were critical to undermining the institution from within and fostering the ultimate pursuit of freedom for all slaves.

References

• Sprague, S. S. (1998). His Promised Land: The Autobiography of John P. Parker, Former Slave and Conductor on the Underground Railroad. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Berlin, I. (2010). Slaves Without Masters: The Free Negro in the Antebellum South. The University of North Carolina Press.
• Douglass, F. (1995). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Dover Publications.
• Litwack, L. F. (1998). Trouble in Mind: Black Southerners and the Civil War. Knopf.
• McPherson, J. M. (2012). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Genovese, E. D. (1974). Roll Jordan Roll: The World the Slaves Made. Knopf.
• Norton, M. (2015). The Underground Railroad: An Encyclopedia of People, Places, and Operations. Routledge.
• Fehrenbach, T. R. (1995). The Civil War: A Narrative. Knopf.
• Foner, E. (2010). The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Schmitt, R. (2003). The Civil War as a Theological Crisis. University of Chicago Press.