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Analysis Of Harriet Jacobs Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl

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In the book, Incidents in the life of a slave girl, written by Harriet Jacobs, presents events that occurred in the everyday lives of African American slaves. Harriet describes these incidents as a cruel and immoral institution that dehumanized her race, one that she refuses to comply. This institution included, but not limited to severe and numerous suffering among a big number of slaves that were refer as nothing but property. Harriet unfolds monstrosity including beatings, murders, sexual assaults and much more, in which, in fact, would be illegal today. She endured life's hardships for many years. On occasion she seeks death as the best alternative to escape this dreadful life.
This institution demanded a different motherhood, a different …show more content…
Harriet states, “I still had something left to love… I was indebted to her for all my comforts, spiritual or temporal” (6-7). During this narration, she unfolds the lack of support that she experiences in her interaction with her kin. Slavery made it merely impossible to create a family without the fear of having it taken away. One of the essentials to acquiring happiness was impossible for these folks. However, this little interaction instill her with a abundance of belonging.
Unhappiness ultimately lead to a life of terror and fears. Harriet states, “My experiences in slavery had filled me with distrust” (34). The reason lies under the sexual abuse that she encounters with Dr. Flint. He looked down on her as a possession. She dreads the tormenting life living under his home. Although he’s not the primary owner, he does make her life miserable. He does so by verbally harassing her and attempts to seduce her. Harriet’s narrations showcases the suffering of slavery as being a woman. She mentions that women are more than slave workers but sex slaves. However, being the master’s lover was not the worse part, but having to face the jealousy of a mistress. She explains, “I began to be fearful of my life... and find a jealous woman bending over you… it would give place to one more terrible” (34). Harriet was relatively well compare to those of darker skin. She was not seen harvesting or placed in the plantations. She was among the fortunate that were kept doing indoor house duties. Being that her skin was lighter than most and being young, she was the targent of a taunting and insulting

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