Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girlwas the first major American slave narrative by a woman. Her work was mainly addressed to white, middle- to upper-class American women. Those women were bound by a very strict code of conduct and morality in their own lives, especially in terms of sexual behavior. It is well-known now that slave women were often sexually assaulted and raped by their masters and even bore their...
Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl was the first major American slave narrative by a woman. Her work was mainly addressed to white, middle- to upper-class American women. Those women were bound by a very strict code of conduct and morality in their own lives, especially in terms of sexual behavior. It is well-known now that slave women were often sexually assaulted and raped by their masters and even bore their children. However, at the time, this information would have been new and shocking to readers with very sheltered and limited experiences. In trying to win the sympathy of her readers, Jacobs had to be very careful to describe the wrongs done to her in a way that would lead the readers to identify with her rather than blame her for the crimes of her master. She did this by portraying her relationship with her children and by referencing her faith. Jacobs knew that her readers were Christians and mothers, so she tapped into these commonalities to bond with her audience. Readers could then see how she was taken advantage of by the slave master rather than find reason to label her a temptress and sinner. Again, Jacobs's subject was very sensitive, and she had to carefully craft her narrative to achieve her purpose.
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