" (6) Hannah then found a teacher who successfully taught Hannah these simple talents. This talent and person proved to be useful to Hannah at the end of novel on the journey and arrival to the free state of New Jersey when she became a teacher. .
As revealed from this novel Hannah is light enough to pass for white but she refuses. There are many instances throughout the novel that Hannah could have escaped out of difficult situations easily by simply passing for white, but Hannah's pride would not let her do it. She would rather face the consequences of being black than passing for white. When Hannah was on the run with her mistress, her pride and dignity would not let her pass for white. When caught and asked if she was a runaway slave she answered without hesitation that she was a slave with her mistress when she easily could have lied and said she was a poor lost woman. (69) During this time, Hannah not only had to be strong for herself but she had to be strong for her sick and deranged mistress. This was not the only time Hannah was questioned about her lineage and claimed the hard way instead of the easy way out because of her dignity and pride. When Hannah was thrown out of the horse carriage of her slave trader, and cared for by Mrs. Henry, she told Mrs. Henry she was a slave and that "I am one of that miserable class." (117) Hannah never tried to hide her identity and "pass"; she had too much pride and dignity for that.
Hannah religious beliefs helped keep her strong throughout the novel. Hannah always called on God and prayer to keep her strong in difficult times. When Hannah was thrown from the carriage and Mrs. Henry asked her if she ever prayed Hannah replied "I try to, Madam. A prayer was on my lips, and in my heart at the moment of that fearful fall." (117) Earlier, as Hannah and her mistress sat in jail with rats gnawing on her body, Hannah recited Scripture which "strengthened and supported me.
For example in Hannah Craft's Novel, "The Bondwoman's Narrative," she had to cope with the constant jealousy and distrust of the mistress that more than likely led to more beatings and less privileges. ... For instance, also in "The Bondwoman's Narrative", Hannah's master married a light skin black woman whom he thought was white. ...
