HELP IN TIME OF NEED (HARRIET JACOBS) by Gerald Burkett
"Mama, it's so cold, Mama." Mama remained still and didn't speak a word. Rosalie huddled closer to her as they lie on the bare wood floor. She thought about the warm sunny days in Virginia. She thought about being outside breathing the fresh, clear air. Now Rosalie was confined to a cold filthy room. "It's so dark and so cold, Mama." Rosalie tugged at the bits of dirty clothing she was wearing, trying to get warm. Duff Green's Row, government headquarters for the contrabands, that's what they called this place in Washington during the Civil War. The room was crowded with men, women, and children of all ages. Many were sick with measles, diphtheria, scarlet and typhoid fever. A few had a couch to lie on, and some had bits of rags to lie on. Most, like Rosalie and her mama, just huddled together on the cold bare floor. Rosalie and her mama came to Washington four long months ago. At first, Mama was able to work. She was getting paid three dollars a month. But she only worked six weeks then she got sick.
Mama was very sick now and could hardly lift her head. Rosalie began to wish they were back in Virginia on the plantation. "I don't like it here, Mama," she whimpered. Rosalie's mama turned and softly whispered, "We're free, child. We're free." Rosalie wondered how things would be for her on the plantation since she would soon be a young woman. As she thought, she remembered Harriet Jacobs. Harriet Jacobs had visited Duff Green's Row last week to see what they needed. Harriet Jacobs had been a slave in North Carolina and escaped long before the war. Harriet said, "I would ten thousand times rather that my children should be the half-starved paupers of Ireland than to be the most pampered among the slaves of America." Harriet had been the favorite slave of Dr. Flint and the object of his jealous mistress' constant suspicion and malevolence. Mrs. Flint would have flogged Harriet many times, but the doctor never allowed anyone to whip her. Harriet had to be constantly alert to evade her master's persistent advances. He had no scruples about committing a great wrong against a helpless young girl, yet he was too scrupulous to sell her.
Harriet said she would have preferred a felon's home in a penitentiary. She said she never regretted escaping to the North. Rosalie was grateful for her freedom, but she feared she might never get the chance to experience it. Her mama was getting weaker each day, and Rosalie did not care to live without her mother. Rosalie remembered that Harriet Jacobs had promised that she would do all she could to help. She was Rosalie's only hope now. If Rosalie and her mama didn't get some help soon, they would die in the cold. Early the next morning, while Rosalie was still snuggled close to her mama, the Superintendent came in with a big box. As he opened it, everyone shouted with joy. The box was full of clothes and blankets. Thanks to Harriet Jacobs' appeals for help, there were clean, warm clothes and bedding for everyone. Rosalie got a beautiful dress that you could hardly tell was repaired and a pair of woolen socks. As she covered her mama with a clean warm blanket, Rosalie knew she would get better now and wondered how many others Harriet Jacobs had saved during this war. Story Questions
1. What was the name of the young slave girl who escaped from her master in North carolina long before the Civil War? _________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
2. What were the conditions of the government headquarters for the contrabands like during the Civil War? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
3. How important do you think Harriet Jacobs role was in helping the thousands of homeless and hungry contrabands? ___________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
4. How do you think you would have felt as a free citizen living in conditions like Rosalie? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
HELP IN TIME OF NEED (Harriet Jacobs) by Gerald Burkett
I. Rosalie and her mama lying in the bare wood floor
A. They are very cold
B. They are wearing only bits of dirty clothing
C. Place and time
1. Duff Green's Row, government headquarters for the contrabands, Washington, D.C.
2. During the Civil War (1861-1865)
D. Mama was very sick
II. Rosalie thinks about life back on the plantation in Virginia
A. Rosalie remembers Harriet Jacobs story
1. Harriet Jacobs was the favorite slave of Dr. Flint in North Carolina
a. constantly pursued by her master
b. hated by her master's wife
2. Harriet Jacobs escaped to North long before the war
III. Rosalie remembers Harriet Jacobs' promise to help
A. Rosalie and her mama are desperate
1. Mama may die
IV. Clothing and bedding are supplied for everyone
A. Supplies are a result of Harriet Jacobs' appeals for help
Answers to Story Questions:
1. Harriet Jacobs
2. cold, filthy, many sick people
3. Very important. If she hadn't spoken out for the people, no one might have known of their condition.
4. I would have felt that freedom wasn't any better than slavery.
Sources: Bayliss, John F. Black Slave Narratives. London: The Macmillian Company, 1970. Meltzer, Milton. Voices from the Civil War. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1989.