Parent Guide > Margaret Garner: Defying the Fugitive Slave Act

This week in class, we’re reading "Margaret Garner: Defying the Fugitive Slave Act" by Levi Coffin.

In "Margaret Garner: Defying the Fugitive Slave Act," abolitionist Levi Coffin recounts the story of Garner, a fugitive slave who killed her children to keep them from returning to slavery.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Comedy & Tragedy, Fear & Paranoia, and Morality as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"How does fear drive action?", "What can we learn from tragedy?", and "Why do people do bad things?"

Ways to support your child:

• Ask your child about this historical document at home:
  • What was "Margaret Garner: Defying the Fugitive Slave Act" about?
  • What did you learn about Comedy & Tragedy?
  • What did you learn about Fear & Paranoia?
  • What did you learn about Morality?
• Watch the following clips with your child at home:
  • 'The Modern Medea'
  • 'The Margaret Garner Story'