Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave

Dunbar uses the story of Ona Judge to make a larger point about slavery and its relationship to the American national myth. What does Judge’s life story illuminate about the ways in which slavery is obscured in the story of how the country became America? Include valid text details in your answer as support. Utilize these questions to assist in formulating a response.

• What ideas and values does the phrase “founding fathers” promote, and how are these men usually portrayed? How does Judge’s life story complicate this picture?
• In the American national myth, who gets credit for fighting for freedom and building the new nation? What does Judge’s life story illuminate about the idea of fighting for freedom in America? What does it show about the work of building the nation?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt can be completed individually in writing or answered in whole-class or small-group discussion. Students might begin by making a connection between their completed reading and the ideas they considered in the context exercises before beginning the book. Even if students will be responding to the prompt individually, they might utilize some time to work together to list the elements of the American national myth. This will ensure that all students, regardless of background, begin the task with equivalent information about this national myth.