1. What is the theme of the book (the subject of the book)? The theme of the book is how runaways had a huge effect on the institution of slavery. Running away is equivalent to losing your property, so it would be in the slave master's best interest to make sure his slaves don't run away from the plantation or at least be able to get them back if they find a way to slip away. Since a percentage of slaves seemed submissive, some of them were the main ones plotting their escape. It cannot be assumed that the most hostile slaves left because, even if they were difficult to tame, some of them simply were not runaways. Furthermore, Franklin analyzes the reasons that pushed the fugitives to leave the plantations causing great problems for the overseers. Runaways were not good at the slave business, and this meant a loss of profit for the slave master if they were never returned. Some slaves were determined to be free, even at the cost of their lives. Franklin describes the different ways slaves attempted to escape and the main reasons why they were not submissive to the system or happy with their condition of having security from their master. What is the thesis of the book (the author's main argument or interpretation of the theme)? The thesis of the book is that slave overseers and masters had difficulty managing slaves on plantations. According to Franklin, slaves were very resistant to bondage and servitude, and some slaves would not stop trying to escape despite the consequences. Franklin states, “The tensions, conflicts, and often violent clashes between master and servant, or overseer and slave, have received less attention.” (2) Southern whites refused to admit that slaves could not ... middle of paper ...... I would not recommend this book to others. I would recommend Runaway Slaves to others because it literally has every reason or cause why a slave would run away; some you wouldn't expect or even think about. The book broadens your view of slavery and shows you all the opportunities a slave had to escape to the promised land; they would take it. Furthermore, the book shows how whites viewed and feared runaways and how the institution of slavery retaliated against this last form of resistance. Letters from free slaves are very heartfelt because after spending time actually enjoying their freedom, they give you an idea of ​​how contented and blessed they felt after being free, which made them truly appreciate their freedom more than any another free-born man. Furthermore, they had to carry the burden and guilt of the fact that their relatives were still held in slavery and would never be able to taste freedom.