Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl By Harriet Jacobs

In “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”, by Harriet Jacobs, the story takes place in a small southern town. The setting revolves around the life experiences from Harriet herself from when she was 6, she doesn’t know whether she was a slave or not until her mother finally dies; her masters were Dr. Flint and his wife Mrs. Flint. Harriet from there begins to narrate her story and journey as she gets older, how she experienced the horrors of slavery as well as the abuse and uncomfortable harassment from Dr. Flint (attempting to rape, touch and hurt poor Harriet). Throughout the book it is very clear that there truly exist an unfair relationship between African Americans and Whites, with both sides regarding one as the oppressors and being the

As a kid, Harriet already shows a hatred for slavery and the mistreatment that she and her Grandma received from their master, Dr. Flint. She describes how Dr. Flint treated her Grandma as property, “Flint called to tell my grandmother that he was unwilling to wound her feelings by putting her up at auction, and that he would prefer to dispose of her at private sale.” (Jacob, pg. 11-12). Although Dr. Flint does sell Grandma at an auction as if she were property/product, he does recognize the fact that she has emotions as well. This is important as it serves as a stalemate for the argument of oppression, yes there is an unfair prejudice towards african americans, but some whites empathize with them. Sadly there is no benefit of the doubt, and Dr. Flint still pushes on to sell Grandma anyways. Harriet realizes that and see’s how big the gap between the races actually is, and rather than take things in a negative way, she adds on by

Ever since the whole situation with Her losing her Grandma, Harriet begins showing maturity and a more decided opinion on whites. “The influences of slavery had had the same effect on me that they had on other young girls; they had made me prematurely knowing, concerning the evil ways of the world.” (Jacob, pg. 51). The influence and effects that her childhood had left on her has definitely shaped up her side on the battle of oppression between the Whites and African Americans. In general, Harriet serves as a perfect defendant on the whole argument between the two races, unfortunately, African Americans are being oppressed by the Whites and the only thing they can do in defense is play their role in the sad society that they live in. If they decide to defy their masters or rebel, death and punishment comes quickly, and thus that is why there is almost a type of a hatred between the two races, as Whites want to be have this entitlement of power and be dominant, while the African Americans refuse to be submissive and fight for their dream of equality. Harriet even stated herself, “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.” (Jacob, pg. 92-93). Harriet always