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Introduction:
Master Slave Husband Wife is a historical novel written by Ilyon Woo and published in 2023. The setting is Macon, Georgia, during the Civil War. The book is based on real characters, William and Ellen Craft. It tells the story of the Crafts’ journey from slavery to freedom.

Plot:
In 1848, an enslaved couple named William and Ellen planned a brave escape from slavery in Macon, Georgia. Using William’s savings, they bought clothes to disguise Ellen as a white enslaver named “Mr. Johnson” with a disability. On a cold morning, they boarded a segregated train. Ellen narrowly avoided being recognized by someone from her enslaver’s house, pretending to be deaf. It was going to be a risky journey, but William and Ellen were willing to take the chance at freedom. In Charleston, South Carolina, William and Ellen, enslaved people, planned a risky escape. On their journey, they disguised Ellen as a sick white enslaver named “Mr. Johnson”, with William acting as his loyal servant. After reaching the free city of Philadelphia, they learned they still weren’t safe from their former enslavers. But inspired by civil activists, William and Ellen decided to share their story through public lectures, despite the danger. It was a treacherous journey, but William and Ellen used their intelligence and courage to pursue their freedom. While escaping Charleston, William and Ellen traveled by steamboat and train to Philadelphia. Even in the free North, they still faced danger from fugitive slave laws. However, an activist, William Wells Brown, convinced them to share their story of escape through public lectures, despite the risks. In Boston, William and Ellen gained fame by sharing their escape story, boosting the anti-slavery movement. But their former enslaver tried to recapture them under the Fugitive Slave Act. Protected by people in Boston, William and Ellen decided to travel to England to continue advocating against slavery more safely. After escaping to Canada, William and Ellen voyaged to Europe, traveling to Britain to share their story. Settling in Ockham, they taught trades while continuing their education. Moving to London, they developed personal identities before returning to the US, where Ellen reunited with her mother.

Analysis:
The whole escape is bold and fearless, despite the possibility of getting caught by their owners. Even after the escape, they are audacious through the actions they take to free slavery once and for all. It is also clever as Ellen dresses up as a white gentleman using clothes and William dresses up as a slave of the “gentleman”. When they escaped to Philadelphia, they started as activists. They took part in the anti-slavery movement despite the risk of getting tracked down. However, when they traveled to England and carried out their task of the anti-slavery movement, it was disappointing but surprising as they still took part in the movement but weren’t as brave enough to stay in America. The travels between Canada and Europe are important for them as they go back and forth while sharing their escape story with the world. When they went to London to develop their identities before going back to America, it was very clever as Ellen also had the time to reunite and find their family. Overall, they had a tremendous amount of courage to carry out their escape plan, share their story through public lectures, and also participate in the anti-slavery movement.

Conclusion:
Master Slave Husband Wife is a historical novel based on real background and characters written by Ilyon Woo. It was published in 2023. It is about William and Ellen Craft, an enslaved couple in Macon, Georgia, and their daring escape to the North. They shared their escape story with the world and participated in the anti-slavery movement. The escape plan and actions taken in the anti-slavery movement took a huge amount of courage.