Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave by William Wells Brown

"Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave" by William Wells Brown is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The narrative provides a firsthand account of the brutal realities of slavery through the life experiences of the author, who escaped from bondage and became a prominent abolitionist. The book offers insights into the cruelty of slave-holding practices, the anguish of families being torn apart, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. At the start of the narrative, the author introduces himself and recounts his origins, revealing the circumstances of his birth into slavery in Lexington, Kentucky. He reflects on the trauma of having witnessed his mother being whipped and the dehumanizing treatment endured by slaves under their masters. Williams Wells Brown shares stories of various overseers and the severe punishments inflicted upon slaves, invoking both the harsh realities of his upbringing and a deep longing for freedom. Throughout the opening chapters, Brown also touches upon themes of familial bonds and the psychological impact of slavery, setting the stage for his later quest for liberty. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Title Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave
Credits Produced by Suzanne Shell, Charles Aldarondo and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team.
Reading Level Reading ease score: 77.8 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class E300: History: America: Revolution to the Civil War (1783-1861)
Subject Fugitive slaves -- United States -- Biography
Subject African Americans -- Biography
Subject Enslaved persons -- Missouri -- Biography
Subject Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884
Subject Enslaved persons -- United States -- Social conditions -- 19th century
Category Text
eBook-No. 15132
Release Date
Last Update Dec 14, 2020
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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