Analysis Of Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is a story that describes the trials and events that occurred in a slave’s life throughout her journey to freedom. It was written by a former slave, known as Harriet Ann Jacobs and published in the year of 1861. Although Jacobs used fictional characters in her narrative, the events that were mentioned throughout it are actually true. In other words, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is an autobiography of the author’s life. Instead of telling her story as herself, she adopted the first person narrator approach and created the character “Linda Brent”. While reading this narrative, several songs approached my thought. Common’s Glory, Ludachris’s Runaway Love, and Shame by the R&B singer Tyrese, are three

musical tunes that entered my mind. These musical selections connect to the storyteller because the lyrics of these tunes describes similar emotions and the struggle for freedom Linda Brent discusses in her story. If Jacobs was able to listen to these songs while writing her work, she would have definitely been able to relate them to her own life’s experience.
The hip hop song Glory relates to Linda Brent’s life in a number of ways. For instance, the musical tune expresses racism and the African Americans fight for freedom. In the song, Common rapped about the importance of African Americans gaining their freedom when he stated, “freedom is like religious to us.” Similarly, Jacobs expressed Brent’s love for freedom when she stated, “I well know the value of that bit of paper; but much as I love freedom, I do not like to look upon it” (151). The artist also expressed it by stating, “And we’ll fight on to the finish, then when it’s all done we’ll cry glory.” This particular lyric relates to Linda Brent because she might have felt this way when she finally became free. In the narrative, Brent expressed her joy when she stated, “the bill of sale!” “Those words struck me like a blow” (Jacobs 151). Additionally, the hip hop artist not only expressed freedom, but racism as well, when he rapped, “saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle.” Similarly to the track, Jacobs described the racial treatment Brent received from her owners in the story. Jacobs clearly portrayed once she stated, “When we entered our new home we encountered cold looks, cold words, and cold treatment” (130). The lyrics to this powerful song strongly portrays the events and emotions Brent expresses in her story.
Additionally, the selection Runaway Love connects to the narrative as well.

This musical track mainly describes some emotions Brent expressed in the narrative. For example, when Brent and her brother William are sent to live with their new slave master, they were treated very cruel and harsh. Unlike their former owner, Mr. and Mrs. Flint were coldhearted and neglectful. Brent and her brother received a scolding of words, mean facial gestures, and racial treatment from them. The harsh treatment they received connects to a specific lyric of the song, when Ludachris raps, “Yells and abuses, leaves her with some bruises.” Along with the cruelness, Brent was often pressured to have sexual encounters with her master. In the story it states, “He peopled my young mind with unclean images, such as only a vile monster could think of” (Jacobs 134). The quote relates to this track because the rapper mentions a little girl being sexually abused by her stepdad. He describes this by saying, “Sneaking in her room while her mama’s knocked out, trying to have his way but little Lisa says ouch.” The verbal and sexual abuse, including the multiple times she hid from Mr. Flint connects to this emotional

song.
Lastly, the R&B single Shame connects to a specific memory the storyteller mentions in the narrative. Linda Brent’s sexual affairs with Mr. Sands is a shameful memory she wishes she could forget. In the story, she confessed that she committed the shameful act, hoping that Mr. Flint would sell her to Mr. Sands; however, her master had a more cruel way of punishing her. Her sexual affairs ties with the song because Brent is ashamed and humiliated for what she has done. She feels as though she degraded herself and is no longer worthy of her grandmother’s love. Jacobs described how the sexual affair made Linda Brent felt by saying, “The remembrance fills me with sorrow and shame” (136). The R&B singer reiterated throughout the song, “Oh, I’m ashamed of me (Shame on me).”
My opinion from reading the narrative and from listening to these musical tracks is that Linda Brent did an excellent job in telling her story.

The songs I’ve mentioned above helped me relate to the storyteller in various ways. In other words, they gave me a sense of how she felt in every trial she’s went through in her life. The songs also made me imagine the type of person she was. Although she was a slave, she was strong, bold, and determined. Connecting the musical selections to the narrative was very creative and interesting. I particularly think the way Brent related the plot was very effective. One specific detail of the story that made the plot significant is when Brent finally became a free woman. Another great detail would be when she continued to hide from Mr. Flint and he, nor his daughter, were able to capture her. These two details are significant to the plot because they unfold the story and result in Linda Brent’s goal in making her and her children

free.
To conclude, the music reveals information about the storyteller by describing similar emotions and events Brent experienced in her life. The vivid descriptions she’s used throughout her story made me able to visualize certain events. An example would be a sentence from what Jacobs used in her story: “The poor, hungry creature might not have objected to eating it; but she did object to having her master cram it down her throat till she choked” (132). The words and phrases Brent also used in her story made me feel the pain and emotion she might have felt. Another example, in which she stated would be: “She did not speak to me; but the tears were running down her furrowed cheeks, and they scorched me like fire” (139). Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is not just a narrative, it is a piece of art. Linda Brent’s style, tone, and imagery of the story helped me to connect to her life story. Personally, I think this is a great, interesting narrative.