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The Trickster Slave: William Wells Brown

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William Wells Brown is considered a trickster slave, because he manipulated a system that was meant to oppress him. He often avoided whippings that his slave owner was supposed to give him. William Wells Brown is famous for his manipulating ways, and is commonly referred to as a “trickster figure”. He has inspired many people, mostly other slaves, by outwitting his master. One of the ways Brown showed himself as a trickster begins with a note. Brown was given a note stating that he was going to receive punishment for his actions earlier that day. He knew if he stayed at the jail he would be whipped. Instead of taking his punishment he tricked another man into getting whipped for him.While Brown was outside of the jail, he said, “I saw a colored

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