Humanization, or recognizing qualities of an individual that are typical of a human to portray them as worthy of fair treatment, is prevalent in both Harriet Jacob’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Booker T. Washington’s Up from Slavery . Both narrators possess a desirable trait that drives them to escape the devastating effects on their life from slavery. Washington’s desire for knowledge throughout his life motivates him to reach the school in Hampton and establish himself. His passion for education indicates that he is just as human as readers and deserving of their empathy. Similarly, Jacobs portrays Linda’s connection with others as her primary motivation for escaping slavery. She makes sacrifices to provide her children with a life of freedom, which indicates her humanity. Humanization was used by both authors to prove to white readers that they are deserving of empathy and fair treatment amidst their distressing experience as a slave. ...