From 1936 to 1938, many writers interviewed over 2,000 former slaves to gain an insight into the lives that they had led while suffering under slavery.  They shared their experiences from losing family members to occupation during the Civil War.  Some historians choose not to use interviews as valid information about life under slavery. However, analyzing multiple interviews may give us a better understanding of what it was like to be a slave.

These narratives were recorded and have been archived by the Library of Congress.  Follow the link to hear samples of the recordings.

Task 1:  Follow the link to the Narrative Index and pick four narratives to read.  In your notebook, create a chart like the one below.  As you read the narratives, make notes about how the stories make you use your senses.  What phrases let you experience the sensations that the subjects experienced?

Narrative	Sight	Smell	Feel	Sound	Taste
Name of Narrative Subject 1
Name of Narrative Subject 2
Name of Narrative Subject 3
Name of Narrative Subject 4

As you read the narratives, notice that they are written phonetically.  It may be difficult to understand when you begin.  Try to imagine how the words would sound if said aloud.

The left side of this assignment is to illustrate one of the events from the narratives that was easiest for you to visualize.

Task 2:  New page in your notebook.  Right side:  Pick an important event in your life and write your own narrative.  Make sure to evoke the senses of your reader.  Find someone who has finished their narrative and trade notebooks.  Read your partner's narrative and illustrate it in his/her notebook.

Task 3:  Using a medium of your choice (crayons, markers, collage, etc), create a picture/poster that fits the title "The Five Senses of Slavery." 

Due Date:  Tasks 1, 2, and 3 will be due on _________________.  Narrative Rubric