Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is a narrative that describes a young girls trails and tribulations while being an involuntary member of the institution of slavery. Jacobs, like every other victim of the atrocity we call slavery, wishes those in north would do more to put a stop to this destructive practice. As Jacobs states, slavery is de-constructive to all who surround it. It tears apart families, not just families raised in slavery but the master’s family as well. And why, why would the free men and women of the north remain silent while such a great atrocity is still in practice? Jacobs confronts her reader one on one in order to reemphasize her point. Harriet Jacobs, the author of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, uses the family and sentiment to appeal to and challenge her 19th century white women reader in order to effectively gain their support in the movement for abolition.
Support, what is it Jacobs wants when we say support? She is looking for northern women that will recognize that they have a duty to, and an obligation to put a stop to slavery in the south, the trading of slaves in the north, and the recapture of runaway slaves in the north. She not only wants them to recognize this fact but she wants them to act upon this fact. To take into their own hands the duty of putting a stop to the demoralizing, destructive way of life called slavery. This demoralizing, destructive way of life taints all who take part in it with the horrid stench of evil. This evil stench of slavery is found both on the involuntary members of slavery and, most of all, the voluntary proprietors of this barbaric ritual called slavery.
“O, what days and nights of fear and sorrow that man caused me! Reader, it is not to awaken sympathy for myself that I am telling you truthfully what I suffered in slavery. I do it to kindle a flame of compassion in your hearts for my sisters who are still in bondage, suffering as I once suffered. (Jacobs, 393)”
Jacobs deems it necessary to gain emotional support from her reader. By writing in a...