“Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” is a novel written in 1961 by Harriet Ann Jacobs. It is an autobiography and presents female outlook into slavery. Being a very sentimental text, it depicts the reality of author living through slavery and buying the freedom for herself and her children.

The author started writing the book right after moving to New York. She wanted the women of the North to expand their knowledge about slavery as an institution because she believed it would strengthen the abolitionist movement. The events in the book were deemed too harsh for an average reader and Harriet had difficulty finding the publisher. In the end, Lydia Maria Child edited and provided the preface for the book, which made publishing possible.

The story is narrated by the first person who uses the pseudonym Linda Brent. She was born a slave, but it didn’t interfere with the family’s ability to give their kid a happy childhood. The girl was taught to read and write. Due to the death of her mother, Linda finds herself in a relative’s home where people are cruel and conditions are exactly what we imagine slavery to be.

The new master Dr. Flint is forcing his way on Linda and she does all she can to outwit and defy him. This makes her fall into the arms of their white neighbor trying to escape the abuse from Dr. Flint. Eventually, she has two children from the neighbor Mr. Sands. Throughout the novel, the woman employs many tricks (including hiding for seven years in the attic) and illusions trying to avoid the worst for her and her children.

Can a powerless slave be judged based on the same moral standards as free people? If the society strips you of your basic rights, can you free yourself from obeying the morals it imposes on you? All these and many other questions are provoked during the reading of “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”.

Author: Wayne Byrd