Read the underlined sentence, and then answer the questions.

Question

The proclamation Mrs. Johnson refers to is the
Proclamation.
“They tell me . . . you will take back the Proclamation, don't do it. When you are dead and in Heaven, in a thousand years that action of yours will make the Angels sing your praises I know it. Ought one man to own another, law for or not, who made the law, surely the poor slave did not. So it is wicked, and a horrible outrage, there is no sense in it.”

–Hannah Johnson

Answer 1

Based on the provided underlined sentence and the excerpt, here are a few questions and their answers:

1. What is the main subject of Hannah Johnson's statement?

   • The main subject of Hannah Johnson's statement is the Proclamation, which she urges someone not to retract, as she believes it is morally right and necessary for justice regarding slavery.

2. What moral stance does Hannah Johnson take regarding slavery?

   • Hannah Johnson takes a strong moral stance against slavery, arguing that it is wicked and an outrage to allow one man to own another. She questions the legitimacy of the laws that permit slavery.

3. What significance does Hannah Johnson attribute to the Proclamation?

   • Hannah Johnson attributes great significance to the Proclamation, indicating that its effects will be recognized positively even in the distant future, as it aligns with moral righteousness and justice.

4. In Hannah Johnson's view, who has the authority to make laws concerning human ownership?

   • In Hannah Johnson's view, the authority to make laws concerning human ownership is questionable, especially when considering the perspective of the "poor slave" who certainly did not create such laws. She suggests that human laws that allow slavery are inherently unjust.

5. What emotional appeal does Hannah Johnson use in her statement?

   • Hannah Johnson employs an emotional appeal by invoking the idea of being in Heaven and the lasting positive impact of moral actions on the souls of the deceased, suggesting that true righteousness will be celebrated by the divine, thereby encouraging her audience to uphold justice for the oppressed.