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Jacob Lawrence: Storyteller
Curriculum unit developed by the J. Paul Getty Trust

Lesson 1: Harriet Tubman: Telling Stories about Our Heroes

Activity 2: Interpreting Jacob Lawrence's Portrayals of Tubman

Overview:
Students interpret image #20 and text from the Harriet Tubman series. They compare and contrast the Harriet Tubman series with Harriet and the Promised Land, learning that an artist can depict a hero in different ways.

Have students view image #20 and read the text for images #15-20. The text provides information that will aid in their interpretation of the painting. The text from image #20 tells about the Fugitive Slave Law. You may wish to have students investigate to learn more about both the Underground Railroad and the Fugitive Slave Law.

Questions to ask:
  • Where do you think the people are going? How do you know?
  • Why must Harriet take her people to Canada?
    (A: Fugitive Slave Law.)
  • What does the second hill suggest?
    (A: They still have a far way to go.)
  • Why do you think the figures are dwarfed in the vast snowy landscape?
    (A: To emphasize their vulnerability; to highlight Harriet's heroic courage and steadfast commitment to helping others.)
  • How has the artist emphasized Harriet's heroic qualities?
    (A: Remind students that heroes often display courage and bravery as they accomplish difficult tasks.)
Show the students image #10 from Harriet and the Promised Land: Through Forests, Through Rivers.... Explain that Jacob Lawrence returned to the story of Harriet almost thirty years after completing the first series when he created this book for children. The book contains much of the same information found in the first series. Image #10, for example, shows Harriet leading her brothers and sisters to freedom.

Students now work individually to compare and contrast paintings #10 and #20 from the Harriet Tubman series with image #10 from the book, Harriet and the Promised Land, using the How an Image Tells a Story worksheet. (Click here for a Teachers' Key with possible answers included.

After they have completed their worksheets, have students share their findings with other members of the class.


Intro | Table of Contents | Timeline | Image Archive | Lesson 1 | Lesson 2 | Lesson 3


© J. Paul Getty Trust