Life of a Slave Girl

johan_steele · #1 01-30-2006, 08:08 PM

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Written by Herself Harriet A. Jacobs edited by Jean Fagan Yellin

Harriet Jacobs account of her life as a slave is both fascinating and at the same time chillingly disturbing. It is one of only a very few narratives known to be written by a slave and it is quite understandable why it is only minimally known. At times difficult to read due to the, at time, common practice of using minimal punctuation of those who were only marginally educated.

If you are interested in the actual life of a slave and the events neccesary to escape slavery this is a fascinating read.

mobile_96 · #2 01-31-2006, 12:12 AM

If you can find it, get the Enlarged Edition.
This is not a larger type edition but one containing
"A true Tale of Slavery" by John S. Jacobs
Mrs. Yellin did a lot of research and has located Harriet's home, her grandmothers home when she hid out for 7 years.
Many slave diaries have been proven to have been written by abolitionists, but this one has been prove to be an authentic first-person account of life as a slave.
I first found it online and read it that way. Couple years ago found this expanded edition and thoroughly enjoyed it.
However, would not recomend reading this, expecially several sections, immediately after or even before dinner.
Chuck in IL.

johan_steele · #3 01-31-2006, 12:29 AM

Thanks Chuck... but this edition was disturbing enough. Read it a couple years ago from the library, found it again and made the mistake or rereading it. It's one of those books that keeps your respect for slaveowners right down in the gutter.

sockknitter · #4 01-31-2006, 12:59 AM

Serendipitously I found a copy of the basic book (not enlarged edition) at a garage sale. Is John Jacobs a son of Harriet Jacobs the slave girl of the title?

As one of my ancestors was a slave owner I will read the book sometime in the future with great interest.

mobile_96 · #5 01-31-2006, 01:44 AM

sockknitter,
Sorry I didn't clarify that. Yes, John was her son.
Not really necessary, but the inclusion of her son's memoir, written away from Harriet, so she had no influence on his writing, is interesting as it 'backs up' her story. (His is not nearly as indepth or as long as hers.)
We think we had 1 or 2 slaves in the family, but which family, or how long, is not presently known.
Chuck in IL.

mobile_96 · #6 01-31-2006, 05:56 PM

Sockknitter,
Must have had a brain freeze after going thru over 300 email yestereday
afternoon, and then jumping into a book discussion on Lincoln.
Anywho, it was Harriet's younger brother, not her son.
Chuck in IL.

matthew mckeon · #7 01-31-2006, 05:59 PM

A colleague of mine taught the Jacobs book when we worked at a school for girls with emotional issues. Many of the kids had terrible abuse histories, and they freaked over the section where Harriet's owner (Dr. Flint, I recall?) pressures her for sex, with a nearly daily barrage of threats and demands.

bama_belle · #8 01-31-2006, 08:44 PM

Thank you for the warning, gentlemen. I will have to remember that when I add this one to my reading list.