Journal #7: The Slave Mother

The Abolitionist slave movements brought about some of the most vivid imagery in novels and poetry. The protagonist writers of the time period used this imagery to fight in the battle for sympathy and empathy of the nation's heart. In the poem "The Slave Mother" by Frances E. W. Harper, she uses all of the right words to portray the agonizing event of a slave's son, being stripped away from her leg by her master. This was common occurrence in these times to remove the familial bonds from the slaves, and great infer that they are not created equal. This imagery can be seen in the 9th stanza lines 33 through 36, "They tear him from her circling arms, Her last and fond embrace. Oh! never more may her sad eyes gaze on his mournful face." The use of the words tear and embrace are very strong imagery words that appeal to the readers sense of the slave's love for her child.