Incidence in the life of a slave girl by Harriet Jacobs - Book Report/Review Example

Her book was an autobiography. At the time it was written, many said it was fiction. Harriet Jacobs illustrated a different aspect of black suffering which was not spoken about. As a young girl, she was obligated to respond to the sexual advances of Dr. Flint. She also had to deal with the rage and jealousy of the mistress of the household. The "mistress - slaves" were detested and abused both by the mistress of the household as they often replaced the role of the mistress. Their masters used them as prostitutes.

It was a question of jealousy, hatred and male sexual dominance. Harriet Jacobs was strong headed and as she was fearful of getting raped she preferred starting a relationship on her own rather than being forced. She detested the idea of becoming his concubine in a house far from the plantation house. She considered that black morality could not be considered the same as white morality as the social rules were not the same. At fifteen years old, she thought it would be better to start an out of marriage relationship rather than to be raped.

Her neighbor, Mr. Sands, became her lover. When their relationship became apparent, Dr. Flint became furious with Linda. They had two children together, though she remained the property of Dr. Flint. When she went into hiding, Mr. Sands bought the two children at a high price. Mr. Flint has threatened to sell them. For seven years she was only able to observe her children from a small hole from her hiding spot. She came out only at night at to exercise.