Read the passage below:
"I resolved to stay in the vicinity, and hide myself... I could not bear the thought of leaving my children, yet attempting to escape to the North with them would surely lead to our capture."
—Adapted from a nineteenth-century narrative of an enslaved woman
Which of the following gendered patterns of resistance is most directly illustrated by the passage?
- AThe establishment of permanent, independent communities in remote wilderness areas, known as grand maroonage
- The reliance on local concealment (petit maroonage) to remain near family members rather than attempting long-distance flightAnswer
- CThe widespread participation in armed, collective uprisings to overthrow the plantation structure
- DThe pursuit of legal freedom in colonial courts based on the status of the father
Answer
The reliance on local concealment (petit maroonage) to remain near family members rather than attempting long-distance flight
The correct option is correct because the narrator describes a decision to hide locally ('stay in the vicinity') in order to avoid leaving her children. Historically, enslaved women were less likely than single men to attempt long-distance flight to the North due to strong family ties and childcare responsibilities. Instead, they frequently engaged in local concealment or temporary flight (petit maroonage) to resist their condition while staying near their families.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Gendered constraints on mobility and the preference for local concealment (petit maroonage) among enslaved women due to family ties.
Estimated Time:45s