Question

what familiar theme of washington's did Henry o. tanner serve to illustrate/// Up from slavery;chapter 16

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Washington uses the black American painter, Henry O. Tanner, as a symbol of the racial equality that can be found in a true meritocracy. Tanner’s work was famous in art circles for its excellence and high quality. To Washington, Tanner’s work erases any sort of racial divide because both black and white art critics could see its value. Tanner himself then symbolizes Washington’s meritocracy, or the idea that all Americans, regardless of race or class, can find success if they work hard enough. Washington believed that merit is the ultimate social standard of value, not race or class as some of his contemporaries suggested, and Henry O. Tanner’s art serves as a symbol of the importance of merit in Washington’s America.

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Meritocracy Theme Icon Washington was particularly impressed with the life and work of the black American painter Henry O. Tanner . Washington felt that the painter’s excellence garnered him great success in Europe,

In 1893, Washington was married to Miss Margaret James Murray, who had come years before to serve as a teacher at the school, and at the time of their marriage was serving as a principal. Along with her duties helping Washington, Mrs. Washington also ran a mothers’ meeting in Tuskegee, helped with field work at one of Tuskegee’s nearby properties, and ran a women’s club at the school.

Like his other wives, Washington describes his marriage to Margaret only in relation to his work at the Institute. This reiterates his narrative that hard work and labor are the most important means of uplift, and that his family life is secondary to his work life.

Themes

Vocational Education Theme Icon

Portia, Washington’s oldest daughter, engages in dressmaking as well as music studies. At the time of Washington’s writing, she is serving as a teacher at Tuskegee in conjunction to her studies. Baker Taliaferro, Washington’s second oldest child, mastered brickmaking at a young age and deeply enjoyed working in trades. He enjoyed his trade work so much that when Washington required him to work a half of a day at a trade every summer, Baker requested that he have permission to spend the whole day on his trade. Washington’s youngest child, Ernest Davidson, aspires to be a doctor and spends a good portion of his time at the local doctor’s office.