Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl Flashcards
What novel did Harriet Jacobs write
Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
time period and relevant historical context: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
Published 1861, around the start of the civil war
Narrative follows Jacobs through childhood in earlier nineteenth century
plot summary: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
Jacobs under the pseudonym Linda tells the story of her enslaved upbringing and eventual escape beginning with her childhood. Beginning with her childhood and discovery of her status as a slave, moving through her harrowing escape from Dr. Clint with the aid of friends and family.
key characters: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
Linda
Aunt Martha (Linda’s grandmother)
Dr. Flint (Mr. Flint’s father, a brutal and greedy slave owner)
Mr. Flint (Dr. Flint’s son, also brutal and greedy slave owner)
Linda’s children (left behind to be bought by Linda’s grandmother)
Betty (Linda’s friend who helps conceal her after her escape)
Notable formal or stylistic elements: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
First person narration, frequently narrates actions where the narrator herself is not present (ex. what the Flints are doing, her grandmother, etc.)
Sentimental narration emotions directly stated, use of semi-colons, directly addresses reader at times
Important themes and recurring motifs: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
Looming presence of Dr. Flint’s pursuit
Dehumanizing oppression of American chattel slavery
Love and care within collectivized communities
Emotional and moral ugliness of slavery
Literary ‘schools’ or genres; analytical concepts; relevance to history: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
Narrative non-fiction, true account
Wrote novel after Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin after Stowe ignored a letter in which Jacobs offered her own story for Stowe’s documentation of enslaved experiences to defend her depiction of slavery in UTC
Where is this from: “After a brief period of suspense, the will of my mistress was read, and we learned that she had bequeathed me to her sister’s daughter, a child of five years old. So vanished our hopes … But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not recognize me as her neighbor. I would give much to blot out from my memory that one great wrong. As a child, I loved my mistress; and, looking back on the happy days I spent with her, I try to think with less bitterness of this act of injustice. While I was with her, she taught me to read and spell; and for that privilege, which so rarely falls to the lot of a slave, I bless her memory,”
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
What is this from: “Suddenly, a reptile of some kind seized my leg. In my fright, I struck a blow which loosened its hold … the pain I felt soon indicated that the bite was poisonous”
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
What is this from: “When I started upon this hazardous undertaking, I had resolved that, come what would, there should be no turning back. ‘Give me liberty, or give me death,’ was my motto”
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
other useful hints ID: Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl
First person past tense, but “I” is omniscient role, up front direct statements of emotion, use of semi-colons
