From the beginning, we see that Eliza tries to overcome her obstacles and arrive to a place that is safe for her and Harry. The main obstacle for Eliza was to overcome the Ohio River and get to the other side to freedom. The moment is played out as Eliza running and jumped on, "the huge green fragment of ice on which she alighted pitched and creaked as her weight came on it, but she staid there a moment. With wild cries and desperate energy she leaped to another and still another cake; stumbling, leaping, slipping, springing upwards again! her shoes are gone- her stockings cut from her feet- while blood marked every step; but she saw nothing, felt nothing, till dimly, as in a dream, she saw the Ohio side, and a man helping her up the bank"(254). Her focus is so strong that she feels no pain or emotion and is keeping her eye on what is important for her and Harry. What we know of, Eliza has reached safety and has been rewarded for the hard troubles she endured.
This story plays on the "good" overcoming "evil" by Eliza's story, but still makes you wonder about the other slaves and their sad endings. Does evil really overcome good?
The quote you pulled of Eliza making her way accross the river was a really good one! I also wrote about the father son connections we see in not only this text but the others we have read. I didnt, however, think of taking the good vs evil approach which now seems to me to be a really obvious thing!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that a lot of the test is based on overcoming obstacles and how to overcome them. I think that the scene in the book where Eliza is crossing the Ohio River is very important to the text. Through this scene we get a good sense of the hardship that Eliza has to endure.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really thought of the idea of good overcoming evil either but it really is true. Eliza crossing the river shows her attempt to cross into a new life of freedom. I feel like so much in this story was definitely not meant for children, but like you said it did show that you can overcome obstacles. In such a difficult, controversial time in society you can still stand up for what you believe.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree with what you are trying to prove is the point, overcoming obstacles. The novel as a whole (or the selection that we read) not only focuses on Eliza's struggles, but also most of the other characters' struggles as well. Even though some people do not see this as "Children's Literature", we can look at it as either a positive or negative way to teach children of that time the good and the bad sides of what was going on in their nation. Great job :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your post, I think the theme of this story is overcoming obstacles, and good overcoming evil. Eliza crossing the river is so symbolic, and it says a lot about the story and the struggles of slaves in this time period. Great job!
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