by Harriet Ann Jacobs 1861

Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.

This week in class, we’re reading "What Slaves Are Taught To Think of The North" by Harriet Ann Jacobs.

Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813-1897), who wrote under the pseudonym Linda Brendt, was an American slave who eventually escaped and became an abolitionist. "What Slaves are Taught to Think of the North" is a chapter from Brent's memoir Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, published in 1861. In it, Jacobs provides a true account of her experience as a slave, and writes about the lies slaveholders told their slaves to keep them from running away to the North.

As we read, we will be discussing the theme of Fear & Paranoia as it relates to the text. We are trying to answer this big question :

"How can fear be used to manipulate?"

Ways to support your child:

  • Ask your child about this memoir at home:
    • What was "What Slaves Are Taught To Think of The North" about?
    • What did you learn about Fear & Paranoia?
  • Watch Harriet Jacobs and Dr. Jean Fagan Yellin at home with your child.