Biographical Poetry: Harriet and the Promised Land

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Lawrence, Jacob. 1997. Harriet and the Promised Land. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 9780689809651

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Harriet and the Promised Land, written and illustrated by Jacob Lawrence, is a rhythmic biographical poem briefly summarizing Harriet Tubman’s life and mission to free enslaved people.  This poem picture book moves quickly in predictable rhyme. Facts about Harriet’s childhood, chores, and motivation to be free are expressed alongside Lawrence’s vivid paintings. While the words encourage a flowing movement, the paintings cause readers to linger on the page a while longer, soaking in the detail included in the art.

The fluidity of the verse will appeal to readers who appreciate anticipated rhyme and smooth rhythm. The brevity of the poem picture book will please young and reluctant readers. The topic, conveyed in eloquent language, will extend readers’ knowledge of Harriet Tubman’s mission to lead fellow slaves to freedom. The account of the biblical Moses within the poem explains to readers how Harriet received her nickname “Moses.” 

Lawrence details trials the runaway slaves faced, such as inclement weather. He also mentions folks who came to the aid of the suffering escapees. Each page’s combination of lyric and image cause a sense of purpose, calling, and excitement partnered with fear to transfer from the runaways to the reader.

The poem captures the mood and feelings of Harriet and her followers. Harriet, knowing the consequence exclaims, “I’ll be free…Or I’ll be dead!” As the journey continues, the mood changes from constant fear to release and finally to glorious freedom!

Lawrence, known more for his work as a painter, beautifully captures the life and achievement of Harriet Tubman. The layout of each page consists of a large painting and a short section of the poem. Each painting correlates to the few lines and provides further depth that necessitates only a few lines of verse.

For an overview or introduction to the life and great accomplishments of Harriet Tubman, as well as the opportunity for an art connection, look no further than Harriet and the Promised Land by Jacob Lawrence.

POETRY SPOTLIGHT

From Harriet and the Promised Land

Then…

Harriet got the sign

That the time was right.

She cried, “Brothers! Sisters!

I’ll lead you tonight!”

The North Star shone

To light Harriet’s way;

And they marched by night,

And they slept by day.

Some were afraid,

But none turned back.

For close at their heels

Howled the bloodhound pack.

Encourage whole class participation with this poem picture book by allowing all children to read a portion of the poem aloud. Distribute ordered strips of paper with one page’s lines to each student. In addition to the lines from a single page, add the lines from the final page of the book for the entire group to read in unison.

Before reading the entire poem aloud, each student needs to whisper-read his or her lines to build fluency and expression.

Form a circle with students facing each other and standing in sequential order. One at a time, students will read the assigned lines from the poem with expression until the last line when the entire group joins for a strong ending. A simple way to signal to the next reader that it is their turn to read is a gentle elbow nudge. 

To follow up with this poem, show and read to students the book with Lawrence’s paintings. Provide paper and paints for students to create a painting that corresponds with the verse on their slip of paper. Make sure students leave some room to write their lines of poetry. Once complete and dry, hang up the paintings side by side to display an “unbound” version of Lawrence’s poem picture book.