“Expulsion of Negroes and Abolitionists from Tremont Temple”

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This wood engraving on paper depicts the chaos at Tremont Temple during the commemoration of the execution of the abolitionist John Brown, as described in the article “The John Brown Anniversary Meeting.” This meeting of abolitionists and their supporters sought to address the question “How can American Slavery be Abolished?” However, a mob of anti-abolitionists disrupted the meeting.

Questions to Consider

1. How would you describe the tone of the image depicted?
2. Who do you think the engraver views as the protagonist and the antagonist? Why?
3. Is there anything in the engraving that surprises you?