Summary of Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 When I was six years old, my mother died. I was sent to spend a week with my grandmother. I was now old enough to begin to think about the future, and I asked myself what they would do with me. I felt sure I would never find another mistress as kind as the one who was gone.

#2 My mistress, who was a kindly woman, had taught me the precepts of God’s Word. But when she died, her will was read, and we learned that she had bequeathed me to her sister’s daughter, a child of five years old. I was heartbroken.

#3 I was now the property of Dr. Flint, and I was brought to his house. I was met with cold looks, cold words, and cold treatment. I was glad when the night came, because I could moan and cry alone.

#4 I was often threatened with punishment if I stopped at my grandmother’s house, but she helped me feed myself by giving me food when I went to visit her. When her mistress died, Dr. Flint was appointed executor, and he told the faithful old servant that she should be sold.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jul 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822563025

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Insights on Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

When I was six years old, my mother died. I was sent to spend a week with my grandmother. I was now old enough to begin to think about the future, and I asked myself what they would do with me. I felt sure I would never find another mistress as kind as the one who was gone.

#2

My mistress, who was a kindly woman, had taught me the precepts of God’s Word. But when she died, her will was read, and we learned that she had bequeathed me to her sister’s daughter, a child of five years old. I was heartbroken.

#3

I was now the property of Dr. Flint, and I was brought to his house. I was met with cold looks, cold words, and cold treatment. I was glad when the night came, because I could moan and cry alone.

#4

I was often threatened with punishment if I stopped at my grandmother’s house, but she helped me feed myself by giving me food when I went to visit her. When her mistress died, Dr. Flint was appointed executor, and he told the faithful old servant that she should be sold.

#5

My grandmother, who was a slave, was sold at an auction. She was bought by a woman who wanted to free her, but couldn’t read or write. So she gave her her freedom.

#6

Dr. Flint was an epicure. He would never send a dinner to his table without fear and trembling, because if there was a dish he did not like, he would either order the cook to be whipped or force her to eat it.

#7

The slave system is extremely cruel. It is easy to find out who is the most humane slave master within forty miles of you. On hiring day, the slaves are sold. If they are unwilling to go with their new masters, they are whipped or locked up in jail.

#8

I had been in Dr. Flint’s family for two years, and during that time I had learned many things. I had learned how to be patient and keep my spirits up, even when things seemed hopeless. But I longed for a home like my grandmother’s, with all the necessities of life.

#9

I had lived fourteen years in slavery, and I had felt, seen, and heard enough to read the characters and motives of those around