Jonavie T.

Abiday
BS PSYCHOLOGY 3-YB-1

Critical Analysis on Josiah Henson slave narrative

The narrative began when Josiah detailed his birth's circumstances. By recalling all the
torture his family experienced and their horrible separation when they are being sold. On a
property held by Francis Newman in Charles County, Maryland, Josiah Henson was born into
slavery. On an Isaac Riley-owned farm during his early years, he is sold. Isaac Riley bought
Josiah and his mother, who both worked on a plantation in Maryland until Josiah also has his
own family who eventually became slaves up to his children.

Everything was great until Josiah's master experienced financial difficulties, causing him
to send his family and 18 other slaves, along with Josiah, to Riley's brother in Kentucky. While
working for his new master, Josiah's desire for freedom persisted, so he made the decision to
visit Isaac, his former master. With the money he had saved from preaching, Josiah had planned
to buy his freedom, but Isaac tricked him, and he also had plans to sell Josiah and his family
because he thought Josiah's worth was high because he was obedient and had even helped Isaac's
son when he got sick. After becoming aware of everything, Josiah made the decision to flee with
his family. They were starving and exhausted as they journeyed from Kentucky to Ohio. They
received help from the native Americans until they reach Canada. Josiah continued his preaching
in Canada until he worked and organized the Afro-Canadian community and involved in
different projects that emphasizes independence from the whites. He died May 5,1883 at the age
of 93.

After reading the narrative of Josiah Henson, the significance of slave’s narratives is that
it gives an account to the person’s experiences, their escape and their life after. Children
nowadays keeps on complaining about everything even though they all have this comfort. If only
they read this slave narrative of Josiah, they will realize that before being a child is not that easy
instead of going to school you there working under the sun to serve your master. To conclude
slave narratives are important because they give lessons in life and a reminder that even how
hard life is, if you only believe you can then you will survive victorious.