Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs Term Paper

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Life of a Slave Girl

In Harriet Jacobs' novel, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, the narrator takes several steps to assert her status as a person and to make a case against the dehumanization inherent in slavery. The dehumanization of Jacobs' and other slaves in the novel is clearly shown through the sexual exploitation that they face, and the separation of women and their children. Jacob's continually fights against this degradation, and asserts herself as a person. She refuses the advances of Mr. Flint, chooses another man with which to have an affair, and ultimately goes to the extremes of hiding in a cramped garret to assert her independence. Ultimately, Jacobs' is successful in obtaining her freedom, but she only obtains freedom through an extraordinary perseverance and force of will.

Jacob's account is a clear description of the degradation that women slaves face through sexual exploitation and the separation of mothers from their children. While Harriet's early childhood was relatively sheltered, the remainder of her life would be characterized by sexual exploitation and her separation from her children. There are numerous instances throughout the novel where slave mothers are cruelly separated from their children. Jacobs describes how dehumanizing the experience is when some of her relatives are sold: "And now came the trying hour for that drove of human beings, driven away like cattle, to be sold they knew not where. Husbands were torn from wives, parents from children, never to look upon each other again this side the grave. There was wringing of hands and cries of despair."

Harriet Jacobs, speaking through the narrator Linda Brent, asserts her status as a person by refusing the advances of her master.

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She was first pursued by her master, Mr. Flint, when she was merely fifteen years of age. She continually refused his advances, and avoided contact with him at all costs. In the simple act of refusing the sexual advances of her master, Harriet Jacobs was clearly asserting her worth as a human being. As a slave, it was common practice for female slaves to be involved in sexual relationships with their masters. Harriet herself was born out of her mother's relationship with her white master.

Harriet also asserts her status not only by refusing the advances of Mr. Flint, but by deliberately choosing to have a relationship with a local, unmarried white man. Her relationship with Mr. Sands is a willing one, and she has children with him (Ellen and Benny). Jacobs' sees Sands as a form of protection against the advances of Mr. Flint. Mr. Flint becomes angered by Jacob's resistance, and continues to refuse to sell her, and pursues Jacobs even more vigorously. Dr. Sands eventually purchases the children, but does not give them their freedom.

While Harriet's affair with Dr. Sands is certainly a way for her to assert her freedom of choice, she is still terribly constrained by her status as a slave. Her life and the lives of her children are determined largely by the wishes and whims of Mr. Flint, and to a smaller extent, Mr. Sands. While Jacobs' desire to assert her status as a person is strong,….....

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