Mama Day Group

Question:

libsonne
libsonne
Student
College - Senior

What is the significante of the date 1823?
What role does it play in the legend of Sapphira Wade?

And howhas it crept into the popular speech of present day in Willow springs?

Rate question:

Posted by libsonne on Tuesday June 12, 2007 at 2:40 AM and tagged with mama day.

Answers:


  1. bmadnick Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Willow Springs was acquired by a legendary slave woman by the name of Sapphira Wade from her white master in 1823. No one is sure of how Sapphira was able to convince her master to give her the deed, but there are many stories that allude to the possibilities that Sapphira seduced, swindled, or even killed her master to get the land.

    The year 1823 is a symbol in Willow Springs used in conversation to depict suffering and joy, such as the pain of slavery, the struggle to escape slavery, and the reward of freedom. Willow Springs is not officially American, connected to the mainland only by one bridge that has to be rebuilt over and over after being destroyed by numerous storms. It's outside the borders of America because it didn't belong to an American citizen when Sapphira acquired the deed.

    The present-day residents of Willow Springs owe their lifestyle to Sapphira's acquisition of the deed to the land. They are guaranteed freedom from outside influence because of the transaction. Their freedom was gained from a former slave forty years before slaves were emancipated.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mama-day/

    Rate answer:

    Posted by bmadnick on Wednesday June 13, 2007 at 1:53 PM