The Anti-Slavery Alphabet was very interesting to me. The fact that such a political piece was directed at children and attempting to catch their attention is interesting. The author seems to want to influence the younger generation, which is something many do now. By using language the author attempts to both entice the child reader as well as make sure they understand the basic principles of what an abolitionist is standing up for. The rhyming of the poem also makes the grim topic somewhat enjoyable for the child reader, which is important.

 

” ‘E’ is the eagle, soaring high; An emblem of the free; But while we chain our brother man; Our type he cannot be.”

” ‘I’ is the Infant, from the arms of its fond mother torn, And, at a public auction, sold with horses, cows and corn.”

” ‘L’ is the Lash, that brutally he swung around its head, threatening that “if it cried again, he’d whip it till ’twas dead.”

 

These quotes all stood out to me. The first seems to be calling upon the child’s sense of humanity. The fact that the symbol of the country is the symbol of hope and freedom, however there are people who are no different then themselves who are not able to enjoy this freedom. The next two were some that I found to be a very harsh reality to be in a children’s “alphabet” book, however it was probably quite effective. To bring up the selling of children from their families, mothers in particular, this puts the children reading this in the shoes of those who is living this. The power in these last two quotes makes it apparent how important and urgent the author felt this issue to be.

I would really love to learn more about this book, I never knew about it before this and would love to get more of a background on it.