In The Life Of A Slave Girl Analysis

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
In the narrative, “Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl”, Harriet Jacobs, who pseudonym as Linda Brent, details her life as a young slave girl growing up in the South, and her 27 years of experience in bondage. Jacobs, born the daughter of both, mother and father of slaves, until the passing of her mother, was shielded from the fate that would lead her, and younger brother, William to the home of Dr. and Mrs. Flint, master and older mistress. While in Flint’s home, Jacobs become one of many slaves subjected to abuse, rage, jealousy and the kind offers of their masters. Jacobs goes on to mother children, Benny and Ellen, by a colored free-man, who attempts to marry and purchase her, and the children. Benny and Ellen, however, were sold by Dr. Flint as retaliation against Jacobs, who refused to subject to Dr. Flints, sexual advances. This event would spark the encouragement Jacobs needs to the break free from the bondage that separated a mother and her children. Jacobs escapes the plantation and confines herself to a small attic inside her maternal grandmother’s home. Although the living arrangements were of discomfort, from the attic Jacobs was able to watch over her children, which gave her great peace and satisfaction. After seven years hiding in an attic, Jacobs escapes the plantation and head North to New York, where she soon come to realize minimal progress in the treatment of free slaves, including her Ellen, who has not been