Question

In “Fifth Fact,” why are the four facts gathered by the speaker’s young son insufficient in capturing Tubman’s life? (b) Analyze Cause and Effect What are the effects of the mother’s suggestion that her son writes that Tubman was a spy?

Answer 1

The four facts gathered by the speaker's young son are insufficient in capturing Tubman's life because they only scratch the surface. The mother's suggestion that her son writes Tubman was a spy limits the portrayal and fails to convey her full impact and significance.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the poem "Fifth Fact," the speaker's young son gathers four facts about Harriet Tubman, but these facts are insufficient to capture her life because they only scratch the surface of who she really was. Tubman's life was complex and filled with courageous actions that went beyond being a spy. By suggesting that her son writes that Tubman was a spy, the mother highlights one aspect of Tubman's life but overlooks her many other extraordinary achievements. This suggestion limits the portrayal of Tubman and fails to fully convey the breadth of her impact and significance.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

In "Fifth Fact," the four facts gathered by the speaker's young son are insufficient in capturing Tubman's life because they only provide a surface-level understanding of her accomplishments. The speaker's son had learned that Tubman was born a slave, escaped to freedom, helped other slaves escape via the Underground Railroad, and served as a nurse and a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. While these are important facts, they do not fully capture the complexity of Tubman's life and her legacy as an abolitionist and activist.

The mother's suggestion that her son writes that Tubman was a spy has the effect of broadening the son's understanding of Tubman's life and her role in the fight against slavery. The suggestion encourages the son to think beyond the surface-level facts he had previously gathered and to consider the broader historical context in which Tubman lived. It also highlights the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black women to the abolitionist movement, which have often been overlooked or downplayed in historical accounts. By suggesting that Tubman was a spy, the mother is challenging her son to consider the ways in which Tubman used her intelligence, resourcefulness, and courage to actively resist slavery and fight for the freedom of others.