Underground To Canada

Liza is an adolescent girl, close friend to Julilly, and an enslaved person on the Riley plantation in Mississippi. After befriending Julilly when she arrives on the Riley plantation, Liza quickly becomes Julilly’s constant companion. Liza’s courage inspires Julilly, and her companionship makes the journey to Canada more bearable. Liza is disabled and is grateful for Julilly, who helps her pick cotton, brings her food, and protects her on their journey.

Though Liza is young, she is already “hunch-backed,” with “ugly scars” on her body from slave labor and repeated physical abuse (35). While still enslaved on the plantation, Julilly feels that Liza looks like a “bent old woman” (38). In spite of her physical limitations, Liza remains determined to escape. Smucker characterizes Liza as deeply religious, with a Baptist upbringing. The author connects Liza’s strong Christian faith with her self-confidence and determination, writing, “Like my daddy said to me, ‘Liza, in the eyes of the Lord, you is somebody mighty important. Don’t you ever forget that […] I’m scrawny, Julilly, but I’m tough’” (52).

While Liza is brave and determined to reach freedom, she is also more prone to “sullen moods” and suspicious feelings than Julilly (68). She is reluctant to trust the strangers they meet on their travels, saying, “I don’t trust no white man” (70). However, once the girls begin to accept the kindness of their railroad helpers, Liza transforms physically and emotionally as she is invigorated by their generosity and the excitement of reaching Canada. When Liza puts on her new clothes from Catherine, she is almost unrecognizable to Julilly: “Liza gave Julilly a radiant smile. Julilly stared at her. Where was the old Liza? Where was bent, sullen, angry Liza now?” (116).

Mammy Sally is Julilly’s mother. An enslaved person on the Hensen plantation in Virginia, Mammy Sally learns about Canada and hopes that she and Julilly can someday escape to freedom there. In the opening scenes of the book, Mammy Sally teaches Julilly what she knows about Canada. Mammy Sally’s role in the novel is important because when Julilly is taken from her, she insists that Julilly remember their goal of reaching Canada. Determined to escape slavery and reunite with her daughter, Mammy Sally also manages to escape the Hensen plantation and reach St. Catharines, Ontario.

Smucker characterizes Mammy Sally as “tall,” “proud,” courageous, and loving (15). Their close relationship helps Julilly stay positive, even when they are separated, as she remembers what Mammy Sally taught her. Mammy Sally is an encouraging parent, helping Julilly develop a positive sense of herself. Smucker writes, “Mammy Sally use to say, ‘The Lord has made you strong and tall for a good reason’” (29).

Mammy Sally has a strong faith and prays for God’s help for herself and Julilly. When they are separated, Mammy Sally does her best to protect Julilly with advice as she is taken away to the slave trader’s wagon: “‘Do like he say, child.’ Mammy’s voice hurt and choked. ‘You got to mind that man in order to save your life. Don’t forget that place I told you about’” (20). The close relationship between Mammy Sally and Julilly provides a satisfying resolution when they are reunited at the end of the book. Smucker emphasizes their close relationship by describing Julilly’s joy and relief at finding her mother again: “Being with Mammy Sally again was like shifting a hundred pound sack of cotton from her back and just taking on a two pound load instead. But it also filled her heart with such a joy that she wanted to shout and sing” (136).