A Mother and A Slave

Something that really struck me when reading "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" was the extent to which Harriet Jacobs was living for her children. There were times in the story when I wondered, would she have given up if not for her two kids? At one point in the text she comes explicitly says, "My life was spared; and I was glad for the sake of my little ones" (933). So much of Harriet's fight seems to be beyond herself and for her children. This is not to say she isn't fighting for herself and her freedom, however, the burden of fearing for the lives of your children along with yourself is something that many male slaves didn't have to face.

We briefly discussed today the differences (from what we could infer) between male and female slaves, and Harriet's children absolutely prove to be part of the condition of the female slave. It's bad enough to have your life in someone else's hands, but for that to apply to you and your children (specifically if you have two) is triple the pain. However, from a literary standpoint, Harriet's children are an incredibly important part of the story: they are part of what keeps her motivated to live. When she is in her grandmother's attic and she's looking through the whole she writes, "Several times I heard allusions to Dr. Flint, myself, and the history of my children, who, perhaps, were playing near the gate" (936). Even these little allusions that she overhears give her strength to live.

At the same time there's another layer to a motherly relationship with Harriet's grandmother and the letter that she sends her. Clearly steeped in religion, the letter seem to have, as Harriet puts it, "cheered and saddened" her. However, these communications are what kept Harriet's mind intact, her family and loved ones are what drove her to survive. Therefore while it is a burden to carry the lives of others as a woman (this is not to argue men don't also have a responsibility to their children) it also seems to be a blessing for Harriet.