The Underground Railroad As A Gateway For Freedom In Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad

Abstract

This study focuses on Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad published in 2016. The novel is important in African literature because it explores the slavery and the traumatic experiences of slaves.  The novel describes the story of Cora, a slave on Randall plantation in the 19th century. She tries for freedom from her plantation by following the underground railroad. She undergoes a lot of sufferings in the American racial society. He describes the racial issues and reflects the atmosphere, events, and characters. In the novel trains become, for African Americans, symbol of freedom and growth. The novel depicts the cruelty of slavery and also respect for the slave’s wish, love, and protection. They make sacrifices to survive. The novel shows rail transport and secret route. The novel explores the life of slave named Cora and how she relieves from her slavery. Slaves search their identity not among themselves, but somewhere else. They fear loss of identity. In this novel Cora escapes from place to place to save her identity. She searches for her happiness. Whitehead shares African’s story especially African American women who get affected both physically and mentally. It exposes how the underlying fear of black freedom and power contributes to violence against black people. The novel vividly describes the horror of slavery and backwardness of humanity and her desire to free from the slave life.