95.
Author: Harriet Jacobs
Title: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Publication: Paperback
Pages: 320
Genre: Slave narrative
Acquisition: college text, work text
Date Completed: December 12, 2010
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

I first read Harriet Jacobs' charged narrative as part of an undergraduate course on African American literature. Reading Jacobs' account alongside that of Frederick Douglas was a wonderful experience, and happened to produce a strong bias on my part; after discussing the publication (and editing) history of Douglas' works I came to appreciate Jacobs' novel even more. Her account is unique at the time of its publication because it tells the story of a female slave from her own point of view - with no author or editor in the way. Jacobs, educated in her own right and therefore completely capable of producing such an eloquent text, is an extremely effective rhetor. She clearly identifies her audience - white Northern women who may be sympathetic to the abolitionist movements - and uses rhetorical techniques to produce the maximum impact. Jacobs' narrative focuses on many prominent issues, most notably the desire of the slave to remain morally pure and righteous (in a Christian sense) despite the sinful and heathenish demands of their masters, and the heartbreaking plight of the slave mother who must face the uncertainty and sorrow that comes with every auction and sale.

I was very pleased to have the chance to introduce Jacobs' story to my AP English student this semester, and was equally pleased with the charged responses that the text inspired. Jacobs' story - and skillful writing - is always sure to make an impact.