Have students explain the significance Brown sees in his choice of a name. Soon after this decision, Brown meets the man who finally secures his freedom by helping him along his way and by completing his name. Remind students that one purpose of the slave narrative was to dispel the prejudiced belief that African Americans are not equal to whites in intellect or ability, not fully deserving of freedom and human rights. Have students explore this question in an essay. Students might read Booker T. Washington's famous Up From Slavery to see how the slave narrative genre changes when the immediate political pressures that helped shape Brown's work are removed.
Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts.
Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiencees for a variety of purposes. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions, and by posing problems. Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles.