Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

In her book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs is a slave that was born into slavery in 1813 that has decided to share her amazing story of slavery and her struggles to become free. When she was young her parents were “property” of a really nice lady that allowed her family to have a very comfortable life for a slave family. They were allowed to work for their own money and Harriet did not know that she was a slave for until she was twelve. When she was seven her master died and left her to her sister's daughter who was five years old. She believed that it was not right to treat blacks in the way that whites did and that someone should not have to purchase themselves or their children. She believed that the whites were way too cruel. She eventually escaped to the north and eventually had someone purchase her freedom for her.

Together with William her younger brother, she was placed "in the flint house hold." At the hiring she sees the desperate slaves begging to be hired and the anguish of a mother whose children are taken to be sold (Jacobs, p 15). Benjamin, her uncle, escapes from slavery leaving her behind. The grandmother tries repeatedly to buy her freedom from the Flints but fails. The frustration and anger for Benjamin's escape is directed towards her by the master and mistress. This marks the beginning of her sexual harassment inflicted on her by Mr. Flint. She longed for a home of her own just like her grandmother, filled with love comfort and joy as she labored in the farm of Dr. Flint with other slaves.

Linda falls in love with a young free black man and they wish to marry (Jacobs, p 54). Her master refuses their wish to get married and without any hope, she convinces him to leave the area. With the continued sexual abuse, Linda decides to consent to a relationship with Mr. Sands, rather than to Dr. Flint. Her resulting pregnancy from the affair angers Dr. Flint and she is condemned by her grandmother, who she goes to stay with. She gives birth to a son, who she names Benny. She narrates the "Nat Turner's rebellion" and how it threw their town into a commotion. She notes the differing stand of the church on the whole issue of the rebellion, as their preacher instructs the slaves to remain obedient to their masters and mistresses. After staying with her grandmother, she again gives birth to a daughter and has both children baptized. Linda goes to work for Dr. Flint's son where she suffers and makes arrangements to escape.

With the help of her brother she escapes from the farm and a reward of three hundred dollars is offered for her capture. Fortunately a white neighbor accepts to hide her and this kind gesture move the grandmother to tears (Jacobs, p 150). The other family ...