Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs - Essay Example

 Slaves revolted against their masters, ran away, or sabotaged the work of their masters by pretending to be sick or intentionally underperforming so as to harm their masters in any way they could. These were acts of hitting back against slavery; which discriminated against racial minorities. In Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl the main theme being explored is escaped from slavery and this is what slaves did in the midst of extreme oppression and hardship. There are several instances of slavery in the book. First, when Linda, the female protagonist finds out that her children Benny and Ellen are going to be given the same treatment from Mr. Flint as she had (she had been sent to work as a farmhand after refusing the sexual advances of her master Mr.

Flint even after accepting the advances of Mr. Sands just so that Mr. Flint would leave her alone) she escapes to Aunt Martha; her grandmother. Mr. Flint, who was under the impression that Linda had escaped, unknowingly sells her children to Mr. Sands; who happened to be their father. Linda managed to stay in hiding until she finally escaped to the north. At the time, the northern states in the union had abolished slavery and many slaves were escaping to the north. William, Linda’s brother also escapes from slavery from his master Mr. Sands. Mr. Sands has been a good master to the Brents since he did not treat either of them cruelly. However, he does not in any way acknowledge that he is the father of Benny and Ellen. Linda accepted his sexual advances against her will, just to be rid of Dr. Flint and he fathered her children. Running away from slavery was anything but easy; although it was easier for those in the upper north because of their proximity to the northern states that had abolished slavery. Most of the escapees were young men who were considered prized possessions by their masters.

Escapees risked being separated from their families for good or they have to face death if caught by their slave masters.