1. What happens on New Years Day?
New Years day is hiring day, when all of the slaves get sold. Then on the second the slaves are expected to go -- one could tell which masters where the ones that fed and clothed the slaves by which men were surrounded by the slaves, who were begging to be bought by him. The slaves couldn't enjoy Christmas because New Years Day was so close, which meant that they were going to be separated from their families. If a slave didn't go to their master they were whipped and put in jail.
2. How did she learn how to read?
Her mistress taught her how to spell and read, and then Linda began to teach herself after that.
3. What were her failed escapes? How many did she have?
From Divs:
-creates a plan to escape but Grandma dissuades her (her plan was to go and hide w/ a friend and wait and see if her children would be sold); when she realizes that the children will be brought to work on the plantation, she tries to execute the plan again
-Linda runs to her neighbor (Sally's) house and asks her to pack all of Linda's clothes.. then Linda runs to her friend's house of concealment; it is a failed attempt, bc Linda can no longer escape to the North due to all of the "searches" (she might get caught!)
- After a week, she goes to her grandma's friends house (a nice white mistress) -- Betty the cook also knows that Linda will be staying in the room above the mistress's aptment (during this time, William, grandma, and the kids are put in jail)
- Uncle Phillip helps Linda go to her grandma's house and live in her grandma's shed (lives here for 7 years)... and thennnn one day, Peter (friend) asks Linda to come w him bc he can help her escape
-Linda can't leave Ben behind, so says that Fanny can go.. later Ben is about to leave.. Fanny and Linda reunite on the vessel.. next morning= sunshine= FREEDOM!
4. How did she find a way to successfully escape?
After hiding in A SHED ATTACHED TO HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE for 7 years, she escapes on a boat with Fanny (I believe) to the north
5.Hiding: where did she hide? how long did she hide? Who helped her?
She hid in the attic of a white lady's house. After that Peter helped get her to her "loophole of retreat" (the shed) where she was for 7 years.
6. Does she travel out of the country? Where? How is life different?
She goes to England with Mrs. Bruce, where she learns that black people are treated better. While they aren't paid well, they are semi respected. No prejudice. Stayed 10 months
7. Does she have a family? What happens to them? (mostly just need children--according to Hajduk)
Aunt Martha: loves family very much, but doesn't want to be separated from them (urged Linda not to run away), and tries to free her children/grandchildren.
Uncle Benjamin: Linda's uncle, defied and beat his master and ran away. His successful escape inspired Linda to escape, but showed her that freedom sometimes came at a price (losing your family)
Benny and Ellen: Linda's children with Mr. Sands. Mr. Sands bought them from Linda (he said that he'd take care of them) and then he gave her away.
Uncle Phillip: Important for her escape. Remained in the south after Aunt Martha bought his freedom
William: Linda's brother, escaped from Mr. Sands. freedom > everything else
Aunt Nancy: Killed by Mrs. Flints abuse? I think?
From Sara, "Benny is in Cali with William. Ellen is at school. Linda is living with the Bruces--she is finally a free woman. And Phillip, Flint, and grandmother DIE...Linda first goes to the Hobbes' (in Brooklyn or Boston--not sure!) and stays with them. They originally said she would be cared for extremely well and sent to school to be educated. But then Mrs. Hobbes says that Mr. Sands gave Ellen to them as a maid for their daughter and Linda is pretty mad. At some point later, Linda gets "custody" of Ellen, they live together for a while, but then Ellen is sent to boarding school where she does extremely well. Linda also writes to her grandmother to send Benny up to Boston with Uncle Phillip and so that happens. Benny "gets a job" but when they find out his background they harass him a bit so he goes on a whaling trip while Linda is in London. Then he comes back and when William's reading group fails, they go to California together. Grandmother dies.
how she knew how to read: It will naturally excite surprise that a woman reared in Slavery should be able to write so well. But
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circumstances will explain this. In the first place, nature endowed her with quick perceptions. Secondly, the mistress, with whom she lived till she was twelve years old, was a kind, considerate friend, who taught her to read and spell. Thirdly, she was placed in favorable circumstances after she came to the North; having frequent intercourse with intelligent persons, who felt a friendly interest in her welfare, and were disposed to give her opportunities for self-improvement.