This first paper is due by October 20 – 1250 word minimum

1. Read the excerpts of Elizabeth Keckleys Behind the Scenes; or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House

(2nd edition pp. 365-384)

(3rd edition pp. 310-326)

2. In essay form, Discuss the following:

Before you started reading this, what were your expectations?

What kinds of things should someone know about before trying to read this so that he/she will understand it better?

Which part of her story are you having the most difficulty understanding or connecting with? Is this anything to do with what you thought or learned that is not in line with that thinking?

  What kind of message does the author want the reader to get from this story?

Which part of the story caused the  most intense feelings in you?

How has the author’s style or language appealed to you?
What makes you wonder in this book? What confuses you in this book? Why?

What came as a surprise in this book? Why?

Any additional items that affected you.

There is no research required for this paper (and I don’t really want any), but I do expect quoting from the text. If you decide to do research, limit the research to no more than 10% of the paper, and follow the guidelines listed in the box above.

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