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Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl By Harriet Jacobs

910 Words4 Pages

The snake represents corruption and sin within the Bible in the story of Adam and Eve. In the narrative "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs, snakes repeatedly make their appearance. Jacobs uses the symbolism of snakes to represent slavery, her fear of being captured, and losing her freedom. At the same time, these "snakes," or slavery can be related to the symbolism of serpents in the Bible. This equates the institution of slavery with immoralism. Linda’s retaliation against the snake that bites her represents her retaliation against being enslaved. In chapter 18, Linda continues her pursuit to escape. She goes into hiding in the woods when she hears that her pursuers are getting close. In the woods, she hides in a thicket of bushes, where she is bitten by a …show more content…

After being bitten by the snake, Linda writes that she "struck a blow which loosened its hold" (Jacobs, Harriet A., et al. "XVIII. Months of Peril." Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Dover, Mineola, New York ., 2001, p. 83.). This sentence can be interpreted in a different light than her just striking against a literal snake. By running away, Linda is striking a blow against Dr. Flint and the institution of slavery as a whole. She is making a stand for her freedom by escaping the institution that takes it away, loosening its hold on her. When Linda can’t tell whether she’s "killed it [the snake]," this can be interpreted as her uncertainty on whether she will be able to fully escape. Linda says that she "could not see what it was," and "only knew it was something cold and slimy" (Jacobs, Harriet A., et al. "XVIII. Months of Peril." Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Dover, Mineola, New York ., 2001, p. 83.). The fact that Linda can’t see what bit her is very intriguing. It can be interpreted as the invisible forces that still traumatize her and leave her in constant fear. Linda

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These inhumane acts of violence were not only present on Flint's property. One of Flint's neighbors, a lady named Mrs. Wade, on whose property was no "cessation of the lash" (Jacobs, 457). A slave described Mrs. Wade's house saying "It is hell in missis's house. ' Pears I can never get out. Day and night I prays to die" (Jacobs, 475).

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