The History of Mary Prince, A West Indian Slave:
1. What is the genre of this narrative? Does it resemble any fiction or histories of its time?
2. What are some notable features of the preface? Why do you think it was included? Do you think a testament to the text's authenticity was needed?
3. What do you think was the intended audience for this book? Do you agree with the editor's decision to standardize the punctuation and spelling?
4. What do you think may be features of Mary Prince's account designed to please a British abolitionist audience?
5. What were some significant facts of Prince's life? Under what circumstances was she first reared, and what were her relations with other family members? What were conditions of her life as a slave? What may have prompted her religious conversion?
6. What may have motivated the cruelties perpetuated against her, in your opinion? What were unusual features of her life as a slave?
7. What were some factors in her situation which enabled her to escape from the Woods' control?
8. Do you think any important aspects of her life story were omitted?
9. What are qualities of the narrative's style?
10. Do you have comments on Moira Ferguson's introduction?
11. What are differences between Mary Prince's and Robert Wedderburn's accounts of slavery? Which book do you think was more effective as an abolitionist tract? As a narrative?
Additional Documents:
What is added by the additional documents at the back of the book? In particular, what is added by Thomas Pringle's arguments against Mr. Wood and his citation of other witnesses?
What motives do you think caused the Woods to refuse payment to permit Mary her freedom? Did this involve them in difficulties of their own?
What may have been some of the reasons for the repeated discussion of Mary Prince's personal conduct, respectability, and marriage? Are there inconsistencies in some of Mr. Wood's charges?
How were the conflicts and lawsuits over the representations of Mary Prince's character related to the pro-slavery/anti-slavery debates?
What are some parallel or contrasting features in the testimony of Asa-Asa?
How were the debates in these documents reflected in a 1994 controversy over a Bermudan travel brochure?