The Water Dancer

by

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Moses/Harriet Tubman Character Analysis

Harriet, who for much of the novel is known by her nickname, Moses, is based on the real figure of Harriet Tubman. A legendary, fearless agent of the Underground Railroad, Harriet is deeply respected by all members of the Underground. She is from Maryland, where her free parents Ma Rit and Pop Ross still live. During the narrative, she and Hiram go on a mission to liberate Harriet’s siblings Ben, Henry, and Robert, as well as Henry’s wife Jane, from slavery. Harriet was born into slavery but was inspired by a childhood friend named Abe to rebel and seek freedom. Like Hiram, she possesses the power of Conduction, an ability to magically travel across distances in a short amount of time using the power of memory.

Moses/Harriet Tubman Quotes in The Water Dancer

The The Water Dancer quotes below are all either spoken by Moses/Harriet Tubman or refer to Moses/Harriet Tubman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Memory vs. Forgetting Theme Icon
).
Chapter 23 Quotes

“We forgot nothing, you and I,” Harriet said. “To forget is to truly slave. To forget is to die.” […] “To remember, friend,” she said. “For memory is the chariot, and memory is the way, and memory is bridge from the curse of slavery to the boon of freedom.”

Related Characters: Moses/Harriet Tubman (speaker), Hiram Walker
Page Number: 271
Explanation and Analysis:

“It’s just like dancing. Stay with the sound, stay with the story and you will be fine.”

Related Characters: Moses/Harriet Tubman (speaker), Hiram Walker
Related Symbols: Water Dancing
Page Number: 271
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Water Dancer PDF

Moses/Harriet Tubman Quotes in The Water Dancer

The The Water Dancer quotes below are all either spoken by Moses/Harriet Tubman or refer to Moses/Harriet Tubman. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Memory vs. Forgetting Theme Icon
).
Chapter 23 Quotes

“We forgot nothing, you and I,” Harriet said. “To forget is to truly slave. To forget is to die.” […] “To remember, friend,” she said. “For memory is the chariot, and memory is the way, and memory is bridge from the curse of slavery to the boon of freedom.”

Related Characters: Moses/Harriet Tubman (speaker), Hiram Walker
Page Number: 271
Explanation and Analysis:

“It’s just like dancing. Stay with the sound, stay with the story and you will be fine.”

Related Characters: Moses/Harriet Tubman (speaker), Hiram Walker
Related Symbols: Water Dancing
Page Number: 271
Explanation and Analysis: