Harriet Tubman Character Traits

Arguably the most important trait that Harriet Tubman displays is her dedication to the task of helping the newly escaped slaves to freedom. The first example is of when after a few days of walking Harriet and her party of escaped slaves finally come to their first stop; “It took them three nights of walking to reach the first stop,” (Petry 12). This evidence is key in conveying how much dedication she really has. Wandering days without food and the thought of possible capture fresh on their mind hoping to finally get food without any guarantee of it even potential to be turned away as seen in these quotes; “Too many, too many. It’s not safe,” (Petry 12) followed by, “slammed the door in her face,” (Petry 12). This other example of her dedication …show more content…
One of the similar character traits is dedication as seen in the story the slaves she is helping often show their devotion to the cause other times showing how unwilling they are to continue; “… and then turned around and said, over his shoulder, ‘I am going back’. She lifted the gun, aimed it at the despairing slave. She said, ‘Go on with us or die,” (Petry 27-28). This first piece of evidence illustrates a point where a clear difference between Harriet and the slaves is most transparent. Her willing to move on whereas the slave was willing to stop and return from whence they came. The next example of a point where Harriet either displays differences in her character, to the slaves she is helping, or similarities occurs at a point of which they are leaving one of their stops, all showing reluctance to leave; “It was hard to exchange the security offered by that clean, warm kitchen for the darkness and the cold of a December night,” (Petry 23). Clearly Harriet is still too some degrees the same as the slaves she has chosen to help, even with her dedication finding herself at times reluctant to pass up good things for poor conditions. The final piece of evidence can be seen at the point of which Harriet is said to be discussing her fight with escaping slavery, like what she was helping them do; “…she told them stories of her own first flight; she kept painting vivid word pictures of what it would be like to be free,” (Petry 10). This final piece of evidence is exemplary in illustrating the biggest similarity of all them for Harriet and the slaves, which is that they just want to be free and they are willing to do what it takes to be free. In conclusion there are many