Condition of Minorities

Escaped slaves in 1862

Realist writers sought to address social ills through their writing. Concern about the condition of slaves was important to the Realism literary movement. In fact, Realism began with the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves but did not entirely deliver the civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Slave narratives and abolitionist writings brought to the forefront of the national conscious the plight of minorities, especially slaves.

In this topic, you will see how one writer can influence others and how determination and perseverance can be conveyed through literature.

Essential Question

• What impact can literature have on society?