Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Harriet Jacobs
Rather than have a more traditional essay on Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, I’d like to hear your informal thoughts on the book. What did the book teach you about slave life? What were some of the most moving passages for you? What disturbed you the most? Was the book an optimistic one? Are there any moral lessons we can take from it to assist us right now in our lives? Please consider these or suggest your own questions as you ponder the life of Harriet Jacobs.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
Although I have been taught a great deal about slavery in my history classes throughout the year, the book "Incidents of a Slave Girl" was a completely different learning material because it was through the eyes of a real slave. It seems horrible to think that the life of a slave was already drawn out before they were even born, their destinies were already chosen for them. I hated how the white families felt so superior to the black families how slaves were really only property to them, not a real life. Although slavery is extremely cruel, there were some good things that I noticed in the book. First of all, no matter how badly LInda's situation was, she could always count on her family and friends to help her out. The slaves were truly united. Another thing that made me happy was that there were plenty of white people that were against slavery and befriended Linda. The biggest thing in the book that moved me was the risks Linda took as a mother who was only looking out for her kids. The sacrifices she had to make were tremendous. That is a big lesson, to never gave up and she didn't. I think the story is uplifting because Linda was able to conquer everything she aspired. I was really happy by the end of the book because she could finally just be with her family. BUT I HATE MR FLINT!
I thought the book "Incidents in the Life a Slave Girl" was just incredible. I'm reading a book about slavery in English class right now (Beloved), and its very interesting to see the similarities in the suffering and scarring memories that goes on between the two main women in each book, but also the differences. I really respect Harriet Jacobs for putting her memories and obstacles down on paper. It must have been so difficult for her to recall every terrible detail back into her mind: almost becoming permanently crippled from staying in that shed, her master and mistress who haunted her and always kept her in fear, losing her children for so long. But I feel that for Harriet, writing these things down for the world to see was the best thing she could have done. Everyone can see what the life of a slave girl was like and not only what slavery was literally, but what it represents. After reading "Beloved," and seeing the same principles portrayed in this book, it seems the hardest for a mother in to see her child go through the same life that she went through. It is absolutely amazing to me to see what Harriet, as a mother, is willing to do to save her children from the institution of slavery. And to see especially a woman fight so hard for something that seemed impossible to any slave, freedom, made me feel strong and able to stand up for whatever I believe in. Jacob's standing up to Dr. Flint was miraculous as well. Although she was his slave, she never gave him the satisfaction of conquering her as his sex slave. I was truly motivated by this book, and I couldn't be happier that Harriet Jacobs to the initiative to write it because her memories and hardships still live on to this day, I feel for exactly the purpose of what Andrea and I both got out of it.
"Incidents of a Slave Girl" really touched me. I've always known of the brutality and cruelty that occurred during the time of slavery but it never touched me the way this book did. It is truly amazing to me how awful there lives were. They were separated from their families, treated like objects and were not allowed to do anything they desired, except for a few exceptions. The strong maternal bond Linda had with her children was the one thing that touched me most. She would look out for her children's well being no matter what the situation was. She, throughout the book, sacrificed a lot for her children. I also think it is unbelievable that one could live in an attic for 7 years! (blows my mind!)It really shows you how bad the life of a slave was. She was willing to live in an attic, suffer illnesses, and only be able to see her children through a peep hole, just so that she wouldn't have to go back and work for Mr. Flint! To me, that takes a lot of strength! I don't believe I would be able to stay strong during a time like that. However, her perseverance to make it to the north and to protect her children results in a much better life for the whole family. Her story is truly motivating. We should aspire to reach our goals and desires in life and we should never give up, no matter how hard the circumstances may be..
reading this book was different from anything i've read in a text book. text books normally have little excerpts with first hand tales of what life was like as a slave but that's just 50 words within a 10 page reading on slavery as a whole. it's not as effective as reading something like the book "incidents in the life of a slave girl". after reading that book i can understand a little bit better the kinds of things that slaves had to go through, but at the same time i really can never even imagine what it would be like to live like that. i guess that it taught me a bit more about the kind of conditions and hardships that slaves had to live through but most of all the decisions that they were faced to make for themselves and the well-being of their children and families. the most moving passages for me were definitely Harriet's experiences with her children. praying that your child will die so they don't have to go through life as a slave -- that's a lot to comprehend but at the same time after reading some of her accounts, i can see why she would want something like that. probably one of the most intense books i've ever read. a moral lesson for me would really be that anything is possible. life for Harriet seemed like the biggest trap ever but the fact that she was able to get out of it and make something better for herself shows that true determination can really get you places. i guess the book can be seen as an optimistic one because of the ending but honestly for me it was just a debbie-downer. definitely inspiring, but there was just so much sadness in the beginning that it was hard to get over how depressing it was. all in all i liked the book and i'm glad i read it. i agree with margaux and amanda that her story was extremely motivating. i also agree with andrea about harriet's friends and family and how they were all united together. for me, i realized that friends and family are so important -- without them harriet's experience would have been completely different, maybe even never free. i've definitely realized what a huge role my friends and family play in my life and hope not to take them for granted.
-- rebecca
"Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" was an incredibly inspirational book that gave me a lot of insight into the world of slaves. I agree with Margaux that this book gave a different perspective than any text book we have ever read. I was really able to understand the hardships Linda Brent went through and I realized that she was able to perservere and ultimately gain her freedom because of her mental strength. The relationship she had with her children was incredibly moving, but the one experience that especially touched me was the seven years she spent hiding in the attic. Despite the crippling pain, Linda loved her children so much and was so determined to live, and therefore she survived. It amazes me that giving up was never an option for Linda. Whether it was living in hiding or trying to escape from Mr. Flint, Linda was always in control of her situation. In addition to enhancing our understanding of the last unit, this book taught me life lessons of mental strength and persistence.
-Candace
I agree with Rebecca. This book brought you into the life of Linda Brent. The hardships they went through were right there for you to read. There were no hidden stories or hidden emotions. Everything was on the page for you to feel.
This book made me think about the life I am living; I can't even imagine how much harder her's is. Its crazy. Sometime I would read and find myself convincing myself that it didn't actually happen because I can't even beleive it.
The most moving passage for me was when Linda sleeps with her child the night before moving away. Linda stays up the whole night to be able to enjoy each moment of this once in a lifetime cuddle and kisses her daughter and she responds that she too stayed awake. I was crying and thinking about how powerfully they must have been thinking about each other and wanting to be with each other throughout the years when Linda was hiding very near but hidden away in the attic because once they were together finnaly, they immediately connected. It was just so moving. I can't even write a blog over it because I just want to read it again.
Like Margaux, the idea of being confined, rained on and isolated in an attic for 7 years is something I can't imagine. According to the random facts written in assighment pads, each American spends an total of 2 years in their care over their life. Spending time driving feels unbearable but imagine not even having light or be able to see anything around you.
As Andrea said, I respect Linda for her will power to be a supportive mother. She risks her life and everything she has for her children to be free from slavery. I learn from her determination as she continues to work for their freedom, even after promises are broken and her efforts are lost.
I also want to bring up how I felt connected to the people who risk their lives too in order to help Linda. Her grandma is an endless source of love but it is also the people who are completely unobligated to help her but have great impact in her life. The Bruce Family makes me so happy; how they felt a connection to Linda and wanted her to accompany their daugter to England and how they purchased her freedom so she could finnaly live in peace. They were incredibaly warm and even listened to her troubles. I am in awe.
I enjoyed the Incidents of a Slave Girl book because it gave a new perspective on slave life to me. This year we have read about slaves in our history book but its all written as though it wasn't such a big deal, or atleast theres no emphasis on the terrible life a slave lives. this book opened my eyes so to speak, and showed me that no matter how much some slaves struggled and thrived and escaped, they could never really truly escape. slavery was all around them, and they were continually hunted down, as if they were a prized object of value rather than a human being. The tactics used against slaves like Linda were awful, from threatening them to threatening their families to lieing to them, etc. Treatment of slaves was very cruel and horrible, and this book really helped demonstrate to me the true horribleness of the crisis. This also gives me another reason to be glad everyday that im in the position i am rather than being a slave or some other misfortune. All in all, it was a good book and im glad I read it.
It feels like I read this book soo long ago. I agree with adam. Our history books can sometimes tend to lay the facts down, not going into the depths of emotion, personal tragedy, family decisions etc. I’ve always heard since elementary school the harshness of slavery, but following Linda’s life journey really opened my eyes to slavery and her struggles as a mother trying her best meant a lot to me. I also agree with Adam; I’m glad I’m not a slave.
It was interesting to follow Linda’s decisions on how to protect her children. It was good to read through this once, but I probably would not read another book on slavery, at least not this long.
I also liked how Paulina referred to how lucky she was compared to the life of a slave. I completely agree with her. Reading this book made me appreciate my life even more and it helped me realize how lucky I am.
Interestingly... as I was reading the book I was not necessarily surprised or taken aback by the horrors of Linda's encounters. It actually felt like I was reading out of a textbook, however more emotion was present in the novel. I think it may be because I've heard an insane number of stories about different people/scenarios, or maybe because I've written a short story in the perspective of a slave girl haha.
So... the book itself didnt strike me as particularly unique or strikingly different but it was nevertheless a rather hopeful novel. My favorite parts were when certain white people were depicted as to trying to aid slaves and treating them as people with equal rights and the same liberty. It is always nice to know or learn that some people out there in the world, regardless of how harsh the world may be, who give a care and truly aspire to help others out despite what other social circumstances may command.
Overall, I felt terrible for Linda, just following her journey through the countless encounters that have scarred her, sometimes even sharing the emotions she has. Angry when she is. Happy when she is. Depressed when she is. And all the rest. It's a rough journey and it amazes me that she pulls through to finally claim her freedom with her children out of the clasps and chains of slavery and its successors.
Agreeing with Margaux... I think it is actually ridiculous, almost unbelieveable slash I'm still yet to be fully convinced, that she spent seven years of her life confined in an attic!?!? If it did happen (I am still doubtful), it really is a show of a lot of resilience and strength for a woman already so scarred by the difficulties of her life. To be able to muster enough strength to not call out to her children for 7 whole years?? Seven Christmas's, seven birthdays for each, seven cold winters without family. Her power alone inspires me to be more strong internally and to understand that life is not always meant to be set straight by someone else, that life is meant to be set straight by the willpower and resilience of yourself.
For me slavery is one of the touchiest subjects. For example when we watched la
amistad I cried and reading Beloved and now linda brent's story infuriate me.
I'm ashamed to think that if I trace my lineage back there was probably someone
who thought slavery was right. I'm disgusted by the cruelty and injustice of
slavery. It scares me to think that someone could think that they have the
right to have that much power over someone else and that other people would
believe or support them. It is ridiculous. The worst passages for me in the book
was where mr flint gave linda the offer of being his sexual slave for life in
exchange for a house on property and her childrens freedom. First of all the
idea that a woman would even have to consider being a sexual slave to someone is
extremely inhumane. The lengths that the slave traders were willing to go to
are disgusting, ruining so many peoples lives the slaves their wives their
children, and the kids they made with their sexual slaves. A total vicious
circle. It just shows why the price linda was willing to pay for her freedom
was so insane. Hiding in her gmas attic minature room for 7 years long! The
will and determination of the slaves especially of the women slaves is
incredible and inspirational. also the total corruption of all people all races
and religion because of slavery is astonishing and super scary. All in all I'm
so thrilled slavery was abolished and I wish it would end everywhere and that it
was never even thought up.
Despite how hard it was to read Brittany's comment, it really moved me. It's actually really crazy that people thought black were on a completely different level than whites and thought they didn't have feelings.
As Andrew says, "I also agree with Adam; I’m glad I’m not a slave." This quote struck me as unbelieveable. I know that if I lose hope in my goal, I am very unlikely to accomplish it. Positive thinking pushes me through my barriers and is the reason I go on. But the slaves' hope was Polaris (the North Star)and maybe the little chance for freedom. Fear of punishment is no incentive for me and I can't imagine doing me homework or studing for a test because I want to avoid being whipped.
Furthermore, as Harvard-Westlake Scholars, as Ms. Huybriechts calls us, we think life is so hard and stressful with so much pressure of schoolwork and so on. I still have a bunch of stuff to do before school tomorrow and need to work hard but if you think about it relative to other kids in the world, our work is mental but others' is physical. Other teenagers are physically demanded but at least our pressure is making us well rounded and enllightened individuals. We really are learning a lot and are really lucky if you think about it.
Paulina
I find that the reason Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl could make us understand slavery better than any textbook is because it was real. A historian cannot possibly evoke the same emotion as someone who lived it could. It was so beautiful how persistent and strong Linda was in order to overccome the burdens life had handed to her. I found her years in the attic were extremely bewildering but incredibly touching. She could only see her children through a peephole for SEVEN years. As a mother, there probably couldn't have been anything more heart-renching for her. The fact that she considers a crippled life with a barrier between her and her children better than life as a slave to Mr. Flint just says so much about how horrible it must have been. Linda took control of her own life, and though she was still a "slave" she chose to fight for her freedom to live. I can't even word how absolutely blessed i feel to not have to go through what she went through. The inner optimism, or really more an inner hope, for freedom drove her to that very thing. That to me is just an incredible message that can be applied to anyone's life: Perseverance and the pursuit of happiness does not go unrewarded.
I completely agree with everyone who said this made them appreciate the life they're living more. I think people need to take a step back and realize how lucky we are to have been born in to the lives we were more often.
and agreed with Andrea: I HATE MR. FLINT!!!
I really like how Amanda compared the book to Beloved, because I actually began to get the two stories mixed up in English class.....
Paulina's posts were so touching! The book was honestly just a wonder. I have absolutely nothing but respect and awe for it.
Post a Comment