“Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” is written by Harriet Jacobs who goes by the name
Linda Brent in order to tell her story safely. Born into slavery, Linda did not know she was a
slave until she was around seven years old. Her parents did a good job protecting her from the
horrors slavery, as she later thrives to protect her children as well. Both of her parents died when
she was young, leaving her with her grandmother, brother, aunts, and uncles. After her parents’
deaths she begins to experience the terrible reality of slavery. This is where the reader can begin
to pick up on her lack of trust, which will continue on throughout the entire story.
During Linda’s youth she bears two children who have a white father. Now a mother,
she yearns more and more for freedom in the north for both her and her children. However, she
doesn’t believe in buying freedom because she believes it is something everyone has a right to.
In order to gain her freedom Linda must hide in the south for seven years until she is able to
make a safe escape. During this time her daughter is shipped to the north where she is supposed
to be treated fairly. Once Linda is able to escape up north she is able to reconnect with her
daughter, her brother, and her son.
Once in the north Linda works for the Bruce family. Her time with the Bruce family is
one of the few times it feels as if Linda is letting her guard down and trusting someone. While
working with the Bruce family she also realizes that being in the north does not mean African
Americans are treated as equals by everyone. Then, the Fugitive Slave Law is enacted, forcing
Linda to fear for her freedom once again. As she begins her mission to hide once again Linda’s
friend, Mrs. Bruce, purchases Linda’s freedom for her. This is where Linda’s story ends for
many reasons. One of these reasons being her humbleness for the situation. While she may not
be with her children, in a house, living the dream; she is grateful for the freedom of her children
and herself, and at that time, their freedom was enough.
Linda Brent gives the reader an in depth look at slavery. From the beginning of the story
Linda references the fact that whites believed slaves were pieces of merchandise. This meant
that they had no feelings, voices, or thoughts on anything that affected them. After her Aunt’s
death she talked more about feelings, and how many masters believed that slaves truly didn’t
care what happened to other slaves after their death.
Through all of the scenarios Linda tells during her story there is no doubt that she proves
slavery is an inhumane act that needed to be abolished. Providing the reader with gruesome
details, she backs up her argument regarding the horrors of slavery. The point that many readers
may not catch is how keen she and many other slaves were. She knew the tricks of the trade and
how to work with the system. This is shown in a few ways. First being, the way Linda interacts
with the Flint family throughout her time in hiding. It is also shown through her lack of trust to
those who do not owe her anything, as well as through her hesitation when meeting new people.
Today, the horrors of slavery are taught in school. Linda Brent’s story is one that’s
similar to stories we hear about in school. Consisting of terrible abuse and mistreatment, all
while plotting to run to the north. What many of us often forget is that the north is not always an
automatic safe haven. Inequality still exists and even laws forbidding slaves from remaining in
the north. Contrary to many stories we hear or read in school, Linda’s story is a first-hand
account, unimaginable to most.
Reading “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” gave me a whole new look on slavery.
While I knew it was a horrid thing, I had never been able to comprehend it to this degree.
Adding children to the mix just made the whole scenario worse. I believe the story is told
beautifully. The entire time I was able to picture myself there. I was able to grow beside her
throughout the entire story and see things from such different perspectives just because of the
way she carried herself compared to my belief for the way other slaves may have carried
themselves. This was by far the most realistic story I’ve read regarding slavery, which has really
helped me open my eyes to slavery in our country.