Cultural Literary Evaluation

Published in 1861, Harriet Jacobs' Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is one of the few slave narratives of the time written by a female slave and published before the civil war. With detailed accounts of the abominations of the south's ‘peculiar institution" Jacobs' memoir sheds light on the true evils of slavery unknown to many before the civil war and even today. In order the confirm the validity of her work Jacobs declares her understanding of the possibility for her readers to think that her stories may be untrue because of their own predisposed notions of a slaves life. In her preface for example she states, "Reader, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs of slavery, on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts." (pg. 1) By calling on the readers faith in the truth of her words Jacobs was able to establish a sense of credibility that leaves the reader in awe of her life experiences. In doing so her narrative enlightened and ignited many pre-civil war abolitionists and earned itself a reputable place in history.

In Jacobs chapter entitled Sketches of Neighboring Slaveholders detailed descriptions of atrocious behavior partaken by local plantation owners and their families is divulged. With each story told a new view of the moral diminishing effects of slavery are seen. In the following quote Jacobs explain how the common practices of the slaveholder and his family curses them into sinful sorry lives. With each foul act or punishment comes the consequential downfall of their families happiness. Beyond them Jacobs admits her inability to express the true measure of damage slavery has on her oppressed race. "I can testify, from my own experience and observation that slavery is a curse to the whites as well as the blacks. It makes the white fathers cruel and sensual; the sons violent and licentious; it contaminates the daughters, and makes the wives wretched. And as for the colored race, it needs an abler pen than mine to describe the extremity of their sufferings, the depth of their degradation." (pg. 81) Although much is known today on the history of slavery a first-hand account of its practice is invaluable to scholars and inquisitive readers alike. By evaluating and expressing its captivating effects on the individual and family a new perspective