full title Up From Slavery
author Booker T. Washington
type of work Autobiography/Non-fiction
genre Bildungsroman
language English
time and place written 1901, Tuskegee, Alabama
date of first publication 1901
publisher Hamilton W. Mabie of The Outlook Magazine
narrator Booker T. Washington
point of view First-person
tone Objective, retrospective
tense Past
setting (time) 1856-1900
setting (place) United States: Virginia, Alabama, Washington, D.C.
Europe: Belgium, Holland France, England
protagonist Booker T. Washington
major conflict The search for meaningful work and the social advancement of African-Americans
rising action Washington’s attainment of education
climax The success of the Tuskegee Institute
falling action Washington’s tour of Europe
themes Dignity through labor; Selflessness, Desire to be useful to one’s community; Impracticality of political agitation
motifs Attraction of superficial pleasures and items; Mutual goodwill amongst the best of the races; Learning from and through failure
symbols Homespun cap; The toothbrush; Henry O. Tanner
foreshadowing Penniless Washington sleeping under a raised sidewalk in Virginia in Chapter III; Washington’s work as a teacher and leader in Malden, Virginia in Chapter IV; Washington’s invitation to speak on behalf of the city of Charleston in Chapter VI
