Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert

Dr. Slim is a minor but important character in the text. How is he characterized? How does he contribute to the novel’s exploration of shame, guilt, and/or fear?

Discuss the novel’s depiction of the abolitionist cause. How does Harriet’s portrayal of it differ from what is typically taught in history classes? How does her account of abolitionism expose some of the strengths and limitations of social justice movements?

Research Sarah Bradford’s biography of Harriet Tubman. How was the book perceived at the time of its publication, and what criticisms have emerged about it in more recent decades? How accurate are the fictionalized Harriet’s assertions that Berman’s interviewing and writing processes were fraught and not entirely honest?

The novel spotlights the erasure of Black history, including in the present day. How does the novel advocate for the importance of historical recovery and the power of knowledge? Can you think of other examples of moments in African American history that, although important, have not been given enough attention in history books and classes?

Discuss Darnell’s characterization. What are his beliefs, values, and motivations? How does he evolve as the novel progresses?

How does this novel draw points of connection between enslavement and contemporary systemic inequality in the United States? What does it suggest about the nature of justice and injustice across various historical eras?

The novel exposes the horrors of enslavement, but also celebrates the resilience and agency of formerly enslaved people like Harriet. How do different characters represent, or demonstrate, agency in the text? How does the novel explore the dynamics of agency and oppression?

Pick one of the songs whose lyrics are included at the novel’s end. How would you close read it for theme, narrative, voice, and/or use of symbols and motifs? How does the song’s message speak to the novel as a whole?