54 pages • 1 hour read
Hannah Crafts, Henry Louis Gates Jr., ed.The Bondwoman's Narrative
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Slavery is the dominant theme of the book, but in what ways do characters find themselves affected by slavery?
Various characters try, fail, and succeed in escaping their situations. How does the desire to escape motivate the characters in the novel?
Consider the numerous marriages portrayed in the text and discuss how marriage affects people differently depending on their social status.
Throughout Hannah’s journey, she spends time in several different houses. How do the different houses function in a narrative sense?
Given the nature of the book and its publication history, how does the question of authenticity affect the portrayal of characters in the novel?
Mr. Trappe and Mrs. Wheeler are two very different, yet equally villainous, characters. Compare and contrast the ways they function as antagonists in the text.
Hannah’s various friendships make her journey possible journey is made possible. Which friendship has the biggest impact on her story?
Hannah lives with and helps to raise several different families. How do the various families navigate the complexities of slavery in the novel?
Though Hannah’s perspective dominates most of the novel, there are several passages where the narrative focus switches to another person. What effect do these passages have on the novel and on Hannah as a character?
