From the period of antebellum America to the present, numerous documents and works have been published concerning the abolition of slavery and of slavery in general. Regarding the abolition of slavery, slave narratives were one of the ways to bring readers into first-hand accounts of slavery and were in turn a large part of the abolitionist movements. In class, we read three of the great stories about slavery and abolitionist themes can be found in each of them. These themes argued against slavery and were used to persuade their readers to support the abolition of slavery. Although there were many similar themes throughout the stories, I will focus on two of the most effective ways to advocate for the abolition of slavery: slavery seen as a slow poison, and emotion through extreme cruelty and suffering. as a “slow poison” can be perceived through the three stories which constitute the basis of this article. The “slow poison” being that slavery is a slow poison that affects not only blacks and whites, but everyone around and subject to slavery. The people most affected by slavery were slaves, but there are many examples of white people and their families also affected by slavery. The Epps family in Twelve Years a Slave is a good example of how slavery can tear a family apart. Mr. and Mrs. Epps were married until their marriage was challenged by Mr. Epp's affection for a slave named Patsey. Mrs. Epps became jealous of their relationship, and over time their marriage broke down and Mr. Epps became an alcoholic to cope with his marriage and the near-constant whipping from his slaves. Mrs. Epp's jealousy and hatred for Patsey c...... middle of article...... "slow poison" argument, the author was able to relate it to the readers' lives in many situations and show that slavery is a reality. bad for everyone, not just slaves. The authors also include several cases of extreme cruelty and suffering that stir emotions in readers and cause them to think more about the treatment of slaves and abolition. With these two arguments present in all three stories about slavery, it should be easy for any reader to understand that slavery is wrong and to join the abolitionists. Works Cited Brown, William Wells. From Runaway Slave to Free Man: The Autobiographies of William Wells Brown. 1st ed. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 1996. Print.Jacobs, Harriet A. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. New York: Oxford UP, 1988. Print. Northup, Solomon. Twelve years a slave. Auborn: Derby and Miller, 1853. Print.