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Harriet Tubman: An American Moses

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Essentials in Writing: Research Paper
March, 2014

Harriet Tubman: An American Moses

Harriet Tubman is an important figure in American history. She is remembered for her work as an abolitionist, respected for the risks she took helping the Union Army during the Civil War, as well as honored for the lasting gifts she left behind for the people of her country. Harriet Tubman may be considered a hero by many men and women, for her example of bravery and self-sacrifice is inspiring people of all races.

Tubman came from humble beginnings, born into slavery sometime during the 1820s (Tubman herself may have been unsure of the year, having once dated it as “1820, 1822, or 1825”. [Wikipedia; Article: Harriet Tubman]) Her name was …show more content…

Tubman refused. As the slave escaped, his overseer threw a two-pound weight which struck Tubman's head, fracturing her skull. Historians debate whether the injury was intentional or not.

Tubman did not receive medical care. She was allowed by her latest employer to rest for two days in-doors, but was then sent back to the fields. She was soon after returned to her original master, who found that her injury had diminished her worth and tried—without success—to find a buyer. Tubman eventually recovered, but the effects of the injury were irreversible. For the remainder of her life, she would suffer from seizures, blackouts and occasionally fall into abrupt, trance-like states (Tubman once explained that she was aware of her surroundings during these spells) from which it was impossible to wake her. While these spells–today suspected to be a form of temporal lobe epilepsy, characterized by bright lights, colorful auras and disembodied voices (Archives of Maryland [biographical series])—were frightening for her family members and inconvenient for her master, Tubman herself felt there to be a hidden meaning behind her “visions”. A deeply religious woman, Tubman was convinced that these dreams came directly from God, a belief which would inspire and strengthen her future missions.

Tubman continued to work for her master for several years following her accident. She was often hired out to various neighboring plantations, tasked with plowing fields, shucking

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