The Heroic Slave

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The Heroic Slave, a Thrilling Narrative of the Adventures of Madison Washington, in Pursuit of Liberty is a short piece of fiction written by famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. When the Rochester Ladies' Anti Slavery Society asked Douglass for a short story to go in their collection, Autographs for Freedom, Douglass responded in turn with The Heroic Slave. The novella, published in 1852 by John P. Jewett and Company, was Douglass' first and only published work of fiction (though he did publish several autobiographical narratives).

The Heroic Slave is the fictionalized story of Madison Washington. As Madison Washington carries a heavy load through the woods lamenting his condition under slavery, Mr. Listwell, a free white man, watches him in silence. Then, the story moves ahead five years in time and finds Mr. Listwell sitting at the table with his wife when they hear a knock at the door. Madison Washington is running from slavery, and Mr. Listwell is more than willing to help him escape. As they talk, Mr. Listwell tells Madison he remembers him from so many years before, and asks him where he has been all of this time. Madison reveals that on the day Mr. Listwell saw him, he did indeed leave his wife and children and run for his freedom. However, he was unable to find his way to the north, and a week later found himself back at his plantation. He met with his wife who gave him food and provision, however, and for five years hid in the woods. However, a great fire caused Madison to lose his hiding place, which is why he ran to see Mr. Listwell. Mr. Listwell gives Madison a new coat and provisions and helps him escape to Canada.

In Part II, Mr. Listwell is in a tavern and reveals that he has traveled 40 miles that day. As he drinks, he sees a slave-gang on their way to market, and is surprised to see Madison Washington among the slaves. Madison reveals that he reached Canada, but he missed his wife so much that he again entered the United States to help her escape. He reached her bedroom window, but he scared her so much that he woke up her master. The two of them were soon caught, and he was separated from her and sold. Mr. Listwell realizes there's nothing he can do for Madison in these conditions, but implores the man to put his trust in God. As he is leaving, however, Mr. Listwell buys 3 files and slips them to Madison in secret. Part II ends with Madison sailing away, still in slavery.

In Part III, men speak about "unfortunate" events that occurred about the ship Creole. Madison Washington gained the trust of all of the overseers on board, and then led the slave in rebellion. Nineteen slaves survived the battle. Madison declared himself Captain of the ship, which took port in Nassau. In Nassau, a group of black soldiers declared that they only protected property, and people were not property, so the nineteen slaves became free.

[edit] Sources

  • Douglass, Frederick. "The Heroic Slave." The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass: Supplement Volume 1844-1860. Vol. V. Ed. Philip S. Foner. New York: International, 1975. 473-505.