Harriet Jacobs - The Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Harriet Jacobs - The Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Harriet Jacobs - The Kansas City Repertory Theatre
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AFTER THE PERFORMANCE: REFLECT & CONNECT<br />
POST-SHOW DISCUSSION - CONTINUED<br />
THE CHARACTERS - continued<br />
2. Why did <strong>Harriet</strong> not tell her Grandma that she had taken up with Sawyer?<br />
HARRIET JACOBS<br />
LEARNING GUIDE | 2010<br />
3. Why does <strong>Harriet</strong> choose to have a relationship with Sawyer? Did she have a choice? What would you have<br />
done?<br />
4. Why do you think Dr. Norcom never forced himself upon <strong>Harriet</strong>?<br />
5. Why do you think Dr. Norcom continued to pursue <strong>Harriet</strong>?<br />
6. Samuel Treadwell Sawyer was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1837. Do you think he helped<br />
<strong>Harriet</strong> enough? Why or why not? What might have prevented him from helping her? Do you think Sawyer<br />
truly loved <strong>Harriet</strong>?<br />
7. How is <strong>Harriet</strong>’s Grandmother a source of strength for her? Who is a source of strength for you in your life?<br />
Write about that person.<br />
8. How does <strong>Harriet</strong> show her love for her children?<br />
9. How does <strong>Harriet</strong> take control of her own destiny?<br />
10. When do you think <strong>Harriet</strong> became free?<br />
11. In what ways do you personally identify with <strong>Harriet</strong>?<br />
REFLECT & CONNECT<br />
1. What impact did this production have on your beliefs about slavery? Did it contradict any of your previously<br />
held beliefs?<br />
2. What effect did the Nat Turner Rebellion have on African-American’s lives, both free and slave?<br />
3. During the time period of the play (1827-1832), slavery was law and those aiding slaves in escape or even failing<br />
to disclose a slave’s whereabouts could be jailed and put on trial. When does moral law take precedence over<br />
legislative law? Can you think of any contemporary situations where this might apply?<br />
4. <strong>Harriet</strong> <strong>Jacobs</strong> was a light skinned African-American. In fact, she and her children could pass for white. Explain<br />
how this might complicate her situation. What is the role of skin color and how does it influence our perceptions<br />
of race?<br />
5. What impact did slavery have on American culture and history?<br />
6. How did slavery negatively impact the lives, not just of slaves, but of slave owners, their wives and their<br />
children?<br />
7. What does <strong>Harriet</strong> <strong>Jacobs</strong> teach us about the female slave experience?<br />
<strong>Kansas</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Repertory</strong> <strong>The</strong>atre: <strong>Harriet</strong> <strong>Jacobs</strong> | 31
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