The Underground Railroad Summary

The narrative centers around Cora, a young enslaved girl from a plantation in Georgia, who decides to make a perilous escape. Her maternal lineage is steeped in the harsh realities of slavery, from her grandmother Ajarry forcibly brought from Africa, to her mother, Mabel, who inexplicably abandoned her. Vulnerable and intolerant of injustice in her surroundings, Cora bravely stands up against her oppressors before partnering with a fellow slave, Caesar, to break free. Their getaway leads them to an actual subterranean railroad system, a vital escape route for enslaved people. Their first destination, South Carolina, presents a semblance of freedom but is marred by deceitful intentions and looming danger.

Upon arrival in South Carolina, Cora and Caesar are welcomed by Sam, a friendly station agent providing them with shelter and employment. Initially oblivious to the underlying prejudice, they soon realize the state's sinister agenda to exterminate black people through deceptive medical practices. The terrifying news of the arrival of a slave catcher named Ridgeway forces Cora to flee, leaving Caesar behind. Her journey then takes her to North Carolina, a state riddled with violent racism to the extent of weekly public hangings. Hiding in the attic of reluctant allies, Martin Wells and his wife, Cora barely escapes Ridgeway once again when she falls ill and is discovered.

The harsh journey continues through the devastated landscapes of Tennessee, where Cora is apprehended by Ridgeway and his vicious team. A brutal encounter with a potential rescuer in a quarantined town results in Cora overpowering Ridgeway and gaining her freedom. Her savior, Royal, leads her to an independent black community in Indiana, Valentine farm, where she finally experiences a genuine life of liberty. Yet the peaceful existence is short-lived as racial tensions escalate into a deadly attack on the farm. Once again, Cora finds herself in Ridgeway’s clutches, leading him to an underground railroad station in the hopes of escape. The narrative concludes with Cora embarking towards an uncertain future, journeying with an older black man named Ollie to California, leaving the readers' pondering about her fate.