Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad

Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad

• Genre: Nonfiction; biography; history
• Originally Published: 1955
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 5-9
• Structure/Length: Biography divided into multiple chapters detailing the life and achievements of Harriet Tubman; approximately 256 pages; approximately 6 hours and 4 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: Ann Petry’s biography of Harriet Tubman is a detailed account of the life of one of America’s greatest heroes. The book follows Tubman’s journey from slavery to becoming a leading figure in the Underground Railroad, a network assisting slaves to escape to freedom. Through personal stories and historical context, Petry highlights Tubman’s bravery, intelligence, and tenacity. The biography not only tells the story of Tubman’s daring escapes and missions to free other slaves but also delves into her work as a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War and her later years advocating for women’s suffrage and the rights of the elderly.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Descriptions of the harsh realities of slavery, including violence and abuse; discussions of the risks and dangers associated with the Underground Railroad and the Civil War.

Ann Petry, Author

• Bio: Born 1908; died 1997; an African American author and journalist; known for her novels and works that address social issues surrounding race and gender. Her notable work The Street (1946) was the first novel by an African American woman to sell over a million copies.
• Other Works: The Street (1946); The Narrows (1953); Miss Muriel and Other Stories (1971)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Bond of Family
• Nature as Refuge and Resource
• Religious Faith and Biblical Allegory

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Explore background information on allegory and the Underground Railroad to increase their engagement with and understanding of Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad.
• Read/study short paired texts and other resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to The Bond of Family, Nature as Refuge and Resource, and Religious Faith and Biblical Allegory.
• Demonstrate their understanding of the historical use of allegory in the songs of enslaved people by creating a presentation explaining the allegorical meaning of such a song.
• Analyze the significance of various elements of the text, such as characterization, plot detail, symbolism, and metaphor, and construct essay responses tying these to the text’s meaning.