Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Response Question: Keeping a Journal (1-62)

In December 1819, Thomas Jefferson gives Harriet a journal. Why do you think he did this for her? What does this tell us about his own interests? Are there any other details that Harriet describes about his study which show him as a man of many talents?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jefferson gave the journal to Hariet because he thinks that she will be a good writer. Jefferson shows a great interest in writing because in the book, he's writing his own autobiography. Jefferson writes down farming things and observations he makes about animals. He wants Harriet to write her own autobiogrpahy. He wants her to write down whatever catches her interests. Jefferson is a President, he treats the slaves well, he do things to help people.

Anonymous said...

Thomas Jefferson gave Harriet a journal to write an autobigraphy and to express how she feels in a more contructive way. Jefferson doesn't talk to Harriet alot, but he does show her he cares about her somewhat. I think he wants to know what she is thinking and how she feels in an indirect way.

Justine said...

What does Jefferson's journal reveal about HIM and HIS INTERESTS? (Hint- Jefferson had a lot in common with Ben Franklin).

Anonymous said...

Thomas Jefferson Gave Harriet a journal to write in because he thinks that he would become an fantastic writer it is great that she wrote an autobiography about herself. I think that this was i good idea towards Harriet because she can express her feelings in a more better way. He (Thomas Jefferson) wanted her to write all her interests and anything that amuses her.

Anonymous said...

Thomas Jefferson gave Harriet a journal because he thinks she has a good imagination and is very interesting. He thinks that since she is a servant and can not leave the mansion, she might like to observe things around the place and write it down. It might keep her in a more peaceful place. And since he is a writer himself, he may wanted to share his experience as well.

Anonymous said...

Jefferson gave the diary to Harriet because he thinks she can become a good writer. Since Jefferson is a writer he wants to share the joy of writing with other people. It would give Harriet something to do in her spare time. Jefferson was trying to do something nice for his slaves.