These stories of motherhood function as anti-slavery texts because they give examples of life as a slave and how horrible it was, this would support abolitionists. The fact that slave children grew up with no mother is sad enough to make anyone support the abolitionist cause. The white world was introduced to the truth, truth so harsh it influenced people to fight it. This truth was the black world, a world with life that couldn't get any worse than it was, and as a child it was even harder not growing up with a mother. By broadcasting these truths, the three authors supported abolitionists.
Harriet Beecher Stowe argues that running away with one's child was the most common option one would take as a black mother. When readers read that paragraph they would immediately agree with Stowe, especially a mother, even though many of the readers would be shocked at the situation that Eliza is in. As she asks the reader what they would do in her situation. She is convincing the reader that the man chasing Eliza is the antagonist in her story because he is trying to take Eliza's loved one " How fast could you walk?" Stowe is trying to relate to the reader by asking them a deep question that almost anyone, white or black, would agree on. Stowe is trying to fully relate herself to the readers so that they will be on her side of the argument.
Harriet Jacobs talks about how "she knows there is no security for her children". There is insecurity with mothers in the slave world. They worry for their children because they know there is an uneasy life ahead for them. This is a serious topic about slavery because it shows that something that is wonderful in life, childhood, is not present in the slave world. This is an anti-slavery argument because everyone should be able to enjoy their childhood. Slavery destroys life and every aspect in it. .
Frederick Douglass makes the connection to the reader with the role of a mother and a lack of a mother.
