Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (2)

The second part of this narrative was just as interesting as the first. The part that particularly struck my attention was when Linda escaped. The description of the escape was very well detailed I thought, I almost felt as though I was there with her. As I read this scene (p. 605), I did find it hard to believe that she lived in a small hole for seven years. Seven years is a long time to be living in quarters where you can’t even stand up or stretch your extremities. I tried to think what situations must have been like as a slave, where living in a shoebox, virtually, would be the better option.
For Linda’s whole life she dreamt of being free and fleeing to the north. She had a long seven years to think about how good her life was going to be once she made it to the north. When Linda finally made it to the north she was disappointed. Linda stated that she found all whites to be the same, whether in the north or the south, they were all the same.
I think it was Linda’s disappointment in the north and in freedom that really got to me. I think because I hate when I get excited for something and then when it happens it’s not all its cracked up to be. I think that is the worst feeling in the world, I can’t even begin the fathom her sense of displeasure.

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

I particularly enjoyed reading this narrative; its tone is much different from that of Douglas’ or even Equiano’s. I did not recognize the masculine tone in the Douglas narrative until we discussed it in class. Even after discussing it in class I didn’t really see the importance of pointing that note out. That is until I began to read Linda’s narrative. Linda’s narrative is written in a complete feminism tone, the things discussed in the text can only have been written by a woman. The example that comes to mind is the inappropriate relations between Linda and Dr. Flint.
Throughout the text Linda describes how she was forced into sexual relations with Dr. Flint. Not only was she being sexually abused, Dr. Flint also threatened Linda’s life if she were to tell anyone about these terrible experiences. Although Dr. Flint never acted on this threat Linda often debated what was better; death or the continuing of the sexual abuse.
The thought of death is for most of us, one of our biggest fears. For Linda death wasn’t a fear, several times throughout the text Linda actually wished death upon herself. I thought about how ghastly things must have been for someone to want to die. I thought for a long time and just couldn’t fathom what she must have been going through, to actually wish death upon not only herself, but also on her children.
I think for Linda death was a scapegoat to avoid all of the negative things that were going on in her life. Not only was Dr. Flint physically abusive he was also mentally abusive. Linda’s self esteem and confidence was nil, she had no hope or ambition to live, so for her death seemed like the better option. I am not positive but I think that her low self esteem and nonexistent confidence were the key factors in her wanting to die, because I though for a long time and I couldn’t even begin to comprehend when death would be a better option then living.

Douglass

I chose the passage on page 347 second paragraph down, this paragraph really sets a tone for the cruel inhumane things that Mr. Severe did. The intense description of Mr. Sever whipping a women, in front of her children, so she bled for a half hour, really made you think about how bad slaves were really treated. Not only did Mr. Severe whip and beat his slaves severely his profound use of langue was enough to scare any slave from attempting to run away.

I find the irony of this paragraph almost humorous. Not long after Mr. Severe began he soon died. It was like the slaves were saved by nature’s ways. The next “overseer” had a much different way with the slaves he still whipped them but he seemed to take no pleasure in doing so. The slaves soon gained a sense of respect for him and he was seen as a good overseer.

This paragraph in particular I was drawn to because it shows the diversity in the different kinds of slaves owners there were during this ungodly time. This passage makes you think about what slaves had to go through in everyday life. The writing triggers your emotions and allots for you to really get a clear picture about all the horrible things they endured.

Slavery

Slavery existed throughout the world, predominantly in America during the 1700’s lasting until the early 1800’s. Slaves were brought to America on malevolent and contaminated slave trade carters from Africa, mostly, and sold here, in America, as property. These slaves were separated from their families to man the white man’s plantations. Slaves were denied the same; rights, literacy opportunities, and most prominently respect, as the whites.
I do not recollect learning about slavery until high school; where we learned about all the important dates and read about all of the historical figures of this time. I also learned through television and media but it was through friends and family that I learned, and respected most of what I know.
I do think that it is significant to learn about slavery today to, most importantly, learn from history to ensure that we don’t make the same mistake again. Slavery is an issue that is still at arms in today’s society. Maybe not slavery in a literal sense but its evolutions; discrimination, racism, and sexism, are all issues that impact our everyday lives. In addition, it is important to understand and learn about slavery to get a better acuity in relation to different people’s perspectives and beliefs.