Washington, Booker T. Up From Slavery. New York: Avon Books, 1965.
What is the Subject of the Novel? The Autobiography of Booker T. Washington
Find and state (in the author's words) a "defining" passage,
one which best summarizes the direction of the novel-its theme and note the
page number on which it appears.
"I am convinced that, after all, the one thing most worth living for-and
dying for, if need be-is the opportunity of making some one making some one
else more happy and more useful"(Washington, p.152).
Paraphrase this passage (in your own words):
The most important thing to do in life is to give service to others.
Paraphrase three subsidiary, supporting ideas, images or symbols using
complete sentences.
Because of slavery, African-Americans of today are intellectually, materially,
morally, and religiously stronger than any other group of black people in
the world (Washington, p.37). No race can succeed without property, industry,
skill, economy, intelligence, and character (Washington, p.141). The happiest
people are those who devote themselves to others by pursuing their happiness
over themselves (Washington, p.152.
Make a list of and name the characters you have found in the essay; supply a characterizing quotation and tell why you think the author used the character.
Character's Name Quote the text! Note the page # Why used by author?
1. Booker T. Washington "From any point of view, I had rather
be what I am, a member of the Negro race...because I am conscious of the fact
that mere connection with what is known...will not permanently carry an individual
forward unless he has individual worth"(Washington, p.50) Obviously,
the author had to use himself as a character if he was to write an autobiography
of himself.
2. General Samuel C. Armstrong "...He made the lasting impression
upon me of being a perfect man: I was made to feel that there was something
about him that was superhuman"(Washington, p.58). Washington believed
General Armstrong had the greatest impact on his life because Armstrong taught
him that the greatest men are the ones who love others.
3. Miss Olivia A. Davidson "Miss Davidson came to Tuskegee, bringing
into the school...a rare moral character and a life of unselfishness that
I think has seldom been equaled"(Washington, p.96) Miss Davidson was
Washington's second wife. She was a dedicated teacher, devoted her life to
others in a way that laid the successful foundations for the Tuskegee Institute.
4. President Grover Cleveland "As soon as I met Mr. Cleveland
I became impressed with his simplicity, greatness, and rugged honesty"(Washington,
p.151). Washington met with President Cleveland a few times, and every time
he noticed how patient he was with every individual person he met. They remained
good friends made many donations towards his school.
Summarize the plot, noting the complications, climax, or crisis and resolution
of the piece:
The autobiography begins with Booker T. Washington explaining what life was like as a slave in Virginia. Once the Civil War ended, and the slaves were set free, Washington moved with his family to West Virginia. There he developed a love for learning and wanted to attend the Negro school at Hampton, yet he had no money to pay tuition. Through financial aid and the devotion of his teachers, he graduated from Hampton, and established a school in Tuskegee. He became a devoted teacher and public speaker for the Negro race. The Climax of his life was when he had the privilege of delivering the opening address at the Atlanta Exposition on September 18, 1895. After this speech, he was widely recognized throughout the entire United States, as well as in Europe. He took a vacation with his wife to Europe, and spent the remainder of his life ensuring the financial and economical success of Tuskegee Institute.
Explain your view on the issues raised in the book. Do you agree, disagree, or partially agree with the author? Give at least three reasons you believe as you do.
I agree with Washington on all the issues raised in this book, except for one. In his autobiography, he made so many satisfying points that it would be impossible to name every one of them. Washington says that he sometimes thought about what if would have been like if he had come from a line of ancestry in which he would have inherited wealth and high status. But then he would have been inclined to rely on them instead of working hard for something he should do himself (Washington, p.48). I agree with this attitude because I would never choose to be anybody but who I am today. I also agree with him that if you make a statement that you know is true, then just take all the criticisms and condemnations by keeping quiet, for time will show the truth. I also admire his belief that those who happiest are those that devote themselves to others. I do not agree with him, though, that the racist society, the Ku Klux Klan, no longer exists, because there is proof that this society, and others like it, still exists today.
Name your Summer Assignment theme The African-American Experience
How does this book express your Junior Project theme?
Booker T. Washington was a former slave, who became one of the most distinguished African-Americans of the period of Reconstruction. His interesting autobiography provides a different experience of the United States, than the experience of many other African-American.
List the other books and authors you have read on this theme:
1. Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
In two paragraphs explain how the theme you have selected appears in each of the books you have read tracing at least three threads of characterization, setting, plot devices, diction, style, symbols, or doctrine and philosophy.
When comparing Uncle Tom's Cabin to Up From Slavery, one can see the obvious
difference between diction and style used by the authors. Harriet Beecher
Stowe includes her audience by using the "forbidden" second person
in the story. She also skips from one plot to the other, so that the audience
can see how the institution of slavery had various effects on different African-Americans.
On the other hand, Booker T. Washington illustrates the story of his life
through simple language, and stays on one plot, obviously because it was and
autobiography of himself.
In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Stowe depicts a surprisingly good relationship between
Black and White. In the novel, slavery actually had a reverse effect on the
characters than expected by bringing them closer together, as seen through
the relationship between Uncle Tom and Evangeline, and Eliza and Mrs. Shelby.
Similarly in Up From Slavery, Washington stresses the improving relationship
between the Southern whites and former slaves, though he does state that many
African-Americans still held aversion toward these Southerners. He mentions
time and again the support of the whites of Tuskegee towards the institute.
Improving relations are also seen through his many long-term friends of the
North and South. Also, Washington's journey from a poor, ignorant slave to
president of an institute showed that the social conditions for African-Americans
of the time were generally very rough. Once the slaves were set free, they
had no idea how to depend on themselves, and thus remained in miserable poverty.
Washington spent his entire life trying to improve the conditions of his race
by educating them, and slowly conditions improved for them.
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