Summary Of Slavery By Harriet Jacobs

Slavery, one of humanity’s greatest atrocities have given rise to some of the best literary pieces found in the history of American Literature. One such piece is a classic 19th-century slave narrative written by Harriet Jacobs under the pseudonym Linda Brent. Though devastating as its content be may, this piece gives a gut-wrenching depiction of the horrors of slavery, particularly as it pertains to young black females. As its title suggest, the novel invites its reader back into an era easily regarded as the epitome of immorality, social injustice, and inequality through what is deemed actual accounts of the incidents in the life of a young black mother and a fugitive slave. As uncomfortable to read and hard to accept as truth in the 19th …show more content…
The town’s people were well aware of grandmother Aunt Martha’s devotion and a long history of faithful service to the family was apparently appalled by the decision to sell Martha, especially in a public offering as if a regular slave with no honor to her name. Because of such degradation and disgust, no one bid on Aunt Martha until finally a feeble voice speaks up. A 70-year-old woman who knew Aunt Martha’s history and the fact that she was promised to be free upon her mistress’ death, had compassion on her. She purchased Aunt Martha and immediately signed her documents rendering her a free woman and no longer under bondage nor ownership by anyone. Once again, the feminine alliance is clear to the reader and its power greatly advertised. The author ensures that the reader understands that unity is most important of all and that success, whether great or small relied upon the allegiance amongst women. Her account surrounding grandmother’s sale is a desperate plea to white women up north to unite and speak out against the injustices and cruelty of their southern counterparts. The author skillfully invokes a sense of duty and power in her audience not only when explicitly stated in the text but through instances such as …show more content…
By all accounts of Dr. Flint;s behavior and persona, one can assume his intention towards the sale of the grandmother was merely due to his public appearance. The doctor not wanting to tarnish his reputation as an upstanding member of the community and suffer possible backlash decided to secretly perform the auction for the grandmother. If not for community power in this instance, who knows the fate the grandmother would have endured. Thankfully the community’s blatant refusal to the purchasing and disapproval of selling of Aunt Martha as if a regular chattel led to her freedom. The community being well aware of the mistress’ promise of freedom upon her death and also grandmother being well known for business led to her freedom. Whether this act was the result of true communal effort or for the mere fact people wanted to publically preserve their character is something to consider. Nevertheless, the result was positive for Aunt Martha and therefore not unfathomable at face value. This event is another can be viewed as a small success against slavery in the life of