Chapters 1-8
What does Jacobs mean when she says, “I was born a slave, but I never knew it till six years of happy childhood had passed away”? What specific event(s) led to Jacob’s awareness of her condition?
Jacobs was born a slave, but because of how well she was treated by her master, she was shielded from the atrocities of her conditions. She begins to become more aware once her mother dies, and she is sold to her mother’s mistress.
When her mistress dies, and instead of being freed like she thought she would be, Jacobs is sold to another individual (the mistresses’ sister’s daughter).
When her grandmother’s children are all sold and distributed among her mistress’ relatives.
“When I was six years old, my mother died; and then, for the first time, I learned, by the talk around me, that I was a slave.” (ch. 1)
“Notwithstanding my grandmother’s long and faithful service to her owners, not one of her children escaped the auction block. These God breathing machines are no more, in the sight of their masters, than the cotton they plant, or the horses they tend.” (ch.1)
How does Linda's perception of her life affect her feelings towards her baby?
She says, "My heart had grown gray in misery." She considers one's life is affected by one's circumstances: "Lives that flash in sunshine, and lives that are born in tears, receive their hue from circumstances." When her baby is born she finds "a solace in his smiles," yet she can never forget that he is a slave. When he nearly dies she prays for his life, but his recovery is bittersweet. "Alas, what mockery it is for a slave mother to try to pray back her dying child to life!" she says. The circumstance of giving birth to an enslaved child makes the sweetness of motherhood nearly impossible for her to enjoy and she wants a better life for her children.
Where can we find examples of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850? (Ch. 17)
Any northbound vessels were examined in search of Linda, and the law against harboring fugitives was read to app onboard (p. 148); The advertisements for an award between $150 and $300 for capturing and returning Linda to either the state or Dr. Flint, respectively (p. 149).
How did Linda make Dr. Flint believe she was in New York?
She put it on the letter she sent
How does Jacob’s describe challenges faced by enslaved women? How did these challenges empower her?
In chapter 33 she describes her struggles finding employment and having economic obstacles. Most employers require recommendations, which would have troubled Linda. She comes across Mrs. Bruce, a lady looking for help caring for her babes. It was so shocking to her how welcoming the family were to her. With her carrying distrusting feelings from her time in slavery it took her time to gain comfort. In this chapter Linda struggles with speaking up and standing her ground because she felt those who she worked for held a power over her, she didn’t have herself. The challenges she faced empowered her because she had the ability to navigate and overcome spite them being challenges. As well as writing this narrative, documenting her experiences, having control over her own story.
Who is Benjamin? What does he do to go to jail and how is he caught? How is he treated while in prison?
Benjamin is Jacob’s grandma’s child. He fights his master and escapes, but is later caught before fully making it and brought back to his master. In prison, he is not allowed any visitors, confined with other prisoners who were filthy and covered in vermin, served coarse food, etc. this continued until his was bought by another slave master.
How do Dr. Flint and Linda's views of religion differ and contradict each other?
she reminds her master that he is a member of the church. He says because of his age and social position, religious attendance is expected of him; he has no desire for a relationship with God. Linda reflects on the hypocrisy of his response; she has suffered the master's cruelest treatment during his "Christian" life. When he offers to make her "as virtuous as [his] wife," she tells him the Bible does not support his words. In response he curses her and reminds her she has no rights, compounding his hypocrisy.
Why wasn’t Linda told the benefactress’ name? (Ch. 18)
The benefactress was a White woman who, along with her husband, owned enslaved people. She believed she and her family would be ruined if her identity and actions were known (pp. 151, 153).
What did Linda ask her grandmother to do in her letter?
Send her kids to the North
Motherhood is significant in Jacob’s story. How does being a mother influence Jacobs’ push toward freedom? Why did she wish for her son to go to Boston?
Being a mother influences Jacob’s push toward freedom by her always considering the safety and well-being of her children at every step. In chapter 34 she wished for Benny to be taken to Boston, where he could be safe from the immediate threats of slavery. Her wish for Benny to go to Boston reflects her deep concern for his future and a profound desire to see him escape the hardships and dehumanizing conditions of slavery. Separation was the best decision and sacrifice for her and her children. This illustrates the choices made by enslaved mothers to provide their children with a chance at a more liberated and promising life. Harriet’s determination and the support of those who opposed slavery played crucial roles in her successful quest to freedom.
What is the biggest change in her masters’ attitude Jacobs discusses in chapter 5? Why did Jacobs feel as if she couldn’t tell anybody about what was going on?
Dr. Flint starts inappropriately talking to her/suggesting sexual actions. She was afraid to tell anyone out of fear of being killed by her master, shamed by her grandmother, and causing a violent outbreak.
“No matter whether the slave girl be as black as ebony or as fair as her mistress. In either case, there is no shadow of law to protect her from insult, from violence, or even from death; all these are inflicted by fiends who bear the shape of men” (ch. 5)
“But Dr. Flint swore he would kill me, if I was not as silent as the grave.” (ch. 5)
“I was very young, and felt shamefaced about telling her such impure things, especially as I knew her to be very strict on such subjects” (ch. 5)
“I dreaded the consequences of a violent outbreak; and both pride and fear kept me silent” (ch. 5)
Why do you think Linda's pregnancy affects her life so drastically? What changes after her announcement occur?
Dr. Flint becomes violent towards Linda and wants to keep her on as tight a leash as possible. He threatens her and her unborn child. He is enraged when he finds out the father is a white man. Her grandmother referred to her as a “disgrace to her own mother” and was forced to cut off communication with the father and the Dr. informed her to never ask favors from him again
What happened to Linda’s children while she was in hiding with the benefactress? (Ch. 19)
The children were sold to the speculator and he sold them to Mr. Sands—the father of her children, and they were reunited with Linda’s grandmother. (pp. 161, 163)
In Chapter 36, why were Linda and her grandmother considered selfish? Do you believe they were thinking selfishly?
They were considered selfish because they were made William never came back, rather than being happy that he was now free.
How is the fugitive slave law described ? How did this affect Jacob’s and other fugitive slave residents in New York?
In chapter 40 , The law is described as a law mandated that escaped slaves, even if they reached free states, were to be captured and returned to their owners. Slave owners were given the legal authority to go on a hunt for their escaped slaves. This affected Harriet and other fugitive slaves giving them a fear of being caught and put back in bondage. The law being mandated gave them no other choice but to flee before being caught. This scared Jacob’s most because she has been running for so long, specifically from her controlling and abusive massa Dr.Flint. Her fear continuously increased because of him having both social and legal power over her as a slave. Her great value is why he and others continued to search for even after he passed away.
For what reasons does Jacobs convince her lover to leave her?
Jacobs believed that Dr. Flint “had an iron will, and was determined to keep me, and to conquer me” (p. 92). She also knew her children would be enslaved, because they had to follow the condition of their mother. She advises him to go to thre Free States, “where his tongue would not be tied, and where his intelligence would be more of avail to him”.
How tolling is Dr. Flint's fascination with Linda? How does it affect her mentally and physically?
Linda starts to dread waking up, she said “I longed for some one to confide in. I would have given the world to have laid my head on my grandmother's faithful bosom, and told her all my troubles.” She felt alone and isolated and ashamed of herself dreading to confess to anyone what was actually going on in her life.
What factors did Linda describe that made it seem as if she had it easy as an enslaved person? (Ch. 21)
“…though white people considered it an easy one; and it was so compared with the fate of others. I was never cruelly over-worked; I was never lacerated with the whip from head to foot; I was never so beaten and bruised that I could not turn from one side to the other; I never had my heel-strings cut to prevent my running away; I was never chained to a log and forced to drag it about, while I toiled in the fields from morning till night; I was never branded with hot iron, or torn by bloodhounds. On the contrary, I had always been kindly treated, and tenderly cared for, until I came into the hands of Dr. Flint.” (p. 174)
In Chapter 29, why did Linda go to the North when Peter asked?
She didn’t want to leave Benny
Analyze the differences in societal attitudes towards slavery between England and the United States during the period. How might these differences have influenced Harriet Jacobs' perspective?
In England there was a growing abolishment settlement and most of the British Empire were opposed to slavery. On the other hand in the United States , slavery remained deeply entrenched in the southern states supported by economic and social structures. During Jacob’s time in England she experiences a huge difference to the realities of slavery in the United States. She came across as kind and genuine people who cared and were concerned about the struggles of enslaved people. This support increased her spirit and determination. Jacob’s used this as an advantage to raise awareness about the brutalities of slavery.
What does Jacobs believe makes the Black man inferior?
“It is the ignorance in which white men compel him to live; it is the torturing whip that lashes manhood out of him; it is the fierce bloodhounds of the South, and the scarcely less cruel human blood-hounds of the north, who enforce the Fugitive Slave Law”. (ch. 8)
How does Dr. flints children against Linda
Dr. Flint begins to use her children to punish and control her. He offers to buy the kids freedom if Linda lives with him she refuses. She knows she will not be able to handle Dr. and his mistress at the same time. She refuses and he decides he is done with her and sends them, her and her children, to his son's plantation where they will now serve his son and her mistress but he will still be able to have a hold on her.
What actions were contradictory to Mrs. Flint being a Christian? (Ch. 23)
“Aunt Nancy one night asked permission to watch with her sick mother, and Mrs. Flint replied, “I don’t see any need of your going. I can’t spare you.” But when she found other ladies in the neighborhood were so attentive, not wishing to be outdone in Christian charity, she also sallied forth, in magnificent condescension, and stood by the bedside of her who had loved her in her infancy, and who had been repaid by such grievous wrongs.” (p. 187); “As Mrs. Flint went out, Sally told her the reason Benny was lame was, that a dog had bitten him. “I’m glad of it,” replied she. “I wish he had killed him. It would be good news to send to his mother. Her day will come. The dogs will grab her yet.” (p. 187)
Who convinced Linda to go? If you were in her shoes, would you have stayed for your child your left when given the opportunity of potential freedom?
Her Uncle Phillip
In the concluding chapters, Harriet explores the theme of freedom and fulfillment. In what ways does Jacobs find a sense of fulfillment in her freedom? How does she envision her future as a free woman?
Jacob’s explores her theme of freedom and fulfillment when she is reunited with her children who she had to leave behind during her escape, this fulfilling one of her goals as an enslaved woman. Freedom for Jacob’s wasn't a personal achievement but it was also a contribution to the broader abolitionist cause. Using her own experiences to shed light on the harsh realities of slavery she becomes an advocate for the rights and freedom of others wanting to be freed. She envisions her future as a free woman finding employment, securing a home for her family, and actively working and building a new and independent life.