Incidents in the life of a slave girl - Research Paper Example

This was precisely because inside the house, there was no hash scorching sun and they could also eat their master’s leftover (Bowdoin.edu 5). However, in some homes, it was not the case. After a meal, the master and family would spit on the pans and kettles so that the slaves could not feed on the left overs (Bowdoin.edu 5). For slave’s who were mothers, life was very hard since there was no better nutrition for them and their infants. Many infants died due to chronic undernourishment since there was little food and the mothers were also overworked (Bowdoin.edu 7). This hardship life saw many slaves die early and very few lived to old age (Bowdoin.edu 7). Slaves were considered not human.

The abuse and torture they went through was worse than what animals went through. It is revealed how slaves were whipped, lashed and clubbed on daily basis whether they did something good or bad (Bowdoin.edu 10). For female slaves, life was even worse than males. Most were also subjected into physical abuse. Many women and girls were rapes and sexually abused by their masters (Bowdoin.edu 10). There was no one to rescue them. It is important to note that most slaves’ masters used this kind of harassment and punishment to control and dehumanize their slaves (Bowdoin.edu 5). The slaves had different ways of copying up with the bondage they were encountering.

There are those who took in and those who fought back. Based on the repercussion, fighting back openly was a serious crime. No slave was allowed to defy his/her master’s orders. This was heavily punishable. However, slaves being human beings did not agree to everything the master said. But due to lack of courage to speak as a result of fear, many chose to collaborate. In the case of Linda who was a beautiful female slave fell into an additional trap since her master fell in love with her (Harriet, Jacob 11). She had