Summary Of Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl By Harriet A. Jacobs

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Summer Musser
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Harriet A. Jacobs In the first chapter, Jacobs begins explaining how she was six years old and did know she was a slave. Her father was a carpenter and she had a brother named William. She was very fond of her maternal grandmother (Aunt Marthy). She was became a well-loved loved in the community. Aunt Marthy had five children. Her youngest, Benjamin, was a similar age to Harriet. When her mother passed away, Harriet was given to her mistress and went to live with her. She was happy and was taught to read and write. Unfortunately, this woman died when Harriet was twelve. After a week the will was read, and Harriet was sad that her mistress who was so kind to her did not free her, but instead …show more content…

Flint, the brother-in-law of her former mistress. But she had received new that her father had did, and she was unable to see the body. Which made it worse after all of the cold stares and harsh words they had been getting. Harriet's only solace from this hellish life was her strong and comforting grandmother. Her grandmother was put up on the auction block by Dr. Flint, but fortunately the whole town loved her and no one bid. The one old woman bid on her and set her free. Harriet writes about Mrs. Flint, who was a weak woman in body but certainly not in the spirit that compelled her to command and watch acts of violence perpetrated on her slaves. She relished withholding food from the slaves as well. In chapter three Harriet explains that Dr. Flint was wealthy, with a house in town, many farms, and about fifty slaves. Slaves in the south were hired on January 1st and work until Christmas Eve. After a few holidays, auctions were held. Slaves that were unwilling to go with their new masters were whipped. Harriet envied the happy time freed women enjoyed on New Year's Eve with the apprehension and fear that slave women felt. Harriet’s grandmother was now the mistress wished her grandchildren could share it with her. The children more than