Oates/John Brown Biography

Abstract: A 3 page essay that examines Stephen B. Oates' biography of John Brown, The Purge This land with Blood (1984). In his prologue to his biography of John Brown, Oates points out that John Brown, the abolitionist who led the ill-fated raid on Harper's Ferry in order to instigate a slave insurrection, has been characterized as a "great and immortal hero" by some and as a "crazy horse thief, a murderer (and) a psychopath" by others (vii). Oates argues that modern scholars and readers will never fully understand Brown, who he was and why he acted as he did, unless his religious beliefs are taken seriously, as they are the key to understanding this complicated man. Oates does an admirable job of supporting this premise and shows that Brown was motivated almost exclusively by his strong Calvinist beliefs. No additional sources cited.

Filename: khoatjb.rtf

Pages: 3

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: Biographies

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