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Essay / Main Themes of "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs
As America began to grow, the United States quickly became known as the land of freedom and opportunity. While this seems like an amazing way to gain exposure, the Civil War was a major impetus. Ironically, it was caused by the lack of freedom and opportunity. This caused great division within this still young nation, with divergent views and ideas on how the government should respond to the growing problem of slavery. This period can be best represented by Harriet Jacobs' ability to effectively inform the reader and put into perspective the struggles of being a slave during the Civil War in her novel, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. The story of Harriet Jacobs accurately represents the time period in which it was written by showing how women were treated, the effects of the Fugitive Slave Act, and white supremacy in the 1800s. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayOne example is how African women were often treated during this period. Jacob explains that no slave will learn to tremble when hearing his Masters football. She will be forced to realize that she is no longer a child. This quote is able to connect to the. Of the Civil War because it shows how quickly a young woman could be expected to live. It also reveals how many people have been exposed to the inappropriate behavior of many people. Jacob also shows how women were viewed as if they had no value and were often whipped, raped, and/or shot unless they systematically benefited their owner. Another example is Howard Jacobs is able to show the effects of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. In her book, Linda states that she "had only one hesitation, and that was my feeling of insecurity in New York, now greatly increased by the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law.” At the beginning of the passage, Linda, the main protagonist, had little to no trouble when it came to walking around, even alone until later in the book, when the law is introduced, Linda soon begins to watch over her at all times. . Not only was this law passed, but many feared for their safety whether free or enslaved, causing Linda to become more cautious because her former owner or master, Dr. Flint, was looking for her . This law is important in the book because it causes Linda to be apprehensive throughout reading the book. The saw is also significant to this period because it was a major trigger for the Civil War and caused extreme tensions between the North and South. Additionally, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl focuses on the white supremacy that existed and had a major impact on society and how it was managed. The white option considers itself to be of a higher rank and demeans natives and African-Americans. Jacob often references the extent of racism in the 1800s. In both the story and the book, white people often treated people of color terribly and were used like inhumane animals. In the book, a slave owner says to his slave, “Do you know that I have the right to do whatever I want with you, that I can kill you, if I please? This shows that most slave owners felt more superior and that slaves were nothing..