Background Info.

Entry #2

Jacob D. Green was a runaway slave from Kentucky. His mother and father gave birth to him in Maryland on August 24, 1813. He has since then lectured in many schools and churches on the subject of American slavery, using his lifetime experiences as a primary source. Since then it has been revised on four different occasions and contains only one edition. Printed by Henry Fielding in 1864.

Works Cited

Narrative of the life of J. D. Green, a runaway slave, from Kentucky. Henry Fielding, 1864.
Lee,Julia. "Green, Jacob D.." African American National Biography, edited by Henry LouisGates Jr.., edited by Evelyn BrooksHigginbotham.

Summary

Entry 1
(November 13)

Jacob D. Green’s narrative is precisely about his turbulent voyage of attempting to escape from the unconstitutional hands of slavery, and the many sorrows he encountered along the way. Many key figures he found throughout his journey for freedom consist of his master Mr. Rogers, who arguably has Jacob’s best interest at heart being that he is a devout Christian. Other significant figures include his family, who were sold away from him, and the many people whom he crossed paths with during the course of his several attempts of running away. The tone of his story spills out a tremendous pool of sorrow amongst readers due to the harsh realities slaves faced on a day to day basis. Emphasizing how emotionally unjust it was to have your family stripped away from you in a matter of brief moments, and the treacherous floggings that took place releases a feeling of grief and anguish towards the audience. “Her voice soft and gentle, accompanied with heart rending gestures, appealed to the slave buyer in tones so mournful, that I thought it might have even melted cruelty itself into some pity.“ (Slave Narratives 980) A monumental turning point in his life took place when he was 14 years of age and his mother was sold away to a trader. This devastating scenario allotted Jacob’s a reflection period to question his life of being an enslaved black to that of any white persons condition. “This circumstance caused serious reflections in my mind, as to the situations of slaves, and caused me to contrast the condition of a white boy with mine.” (Slave Narratives 953)