Slavery

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Although in the 19th century many slave owners had strict rules and control over slaves, enslaved individuals established their own way to go against the hardships they were placed in. Most people would have thought it was dangerous to defy a slave owner due to the consequences that were placed against those who resisted. Those who took part in the resistance, weighed their freedom higher than the risk of punishment. The various ways of effectively resisting the slave owner’s control are demonstrated in Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Slave owners sexually wanting a scandalous relationship was seen greatly throughout this time period. Many slaves did not want to participate in such affairs. A great deal of the women may have had children or even had been married. In this situation is where you could see a direct resistance to this behavior. The slave women, many times have been raped by their owners and no longer wanted to continue living under such disrespect. Women began to resist and support what they thought was unacceptable. Harriet had to go through a similar situation with Mr. Flint constantly wanting a sexual affair with her. Mr. Flint, Harriet’s owner, constantly pursued her and demanded sexual favors. Harriet constantly refused even when he threatened her or promised better treatment. As stated by Harriet, “Sometimes he had stormy, terrific ways, that made his victims tremble; sometimes he assumed a gentleness that he thought must surely subdue” (26). Harriet resisted by not complying, although consequences and briberies were stated by her owner. Harriet even had a relationship with other man and became impregnated, with hope that Mr. Flint would stop pursuing her. She took the matter in own hands... ... middle of paper ... ... gains her freedom with the help of a white woman named Mrs. Bruce who buys her. Harriet is able to live as a free woman and no longer have to deal with the stress of slavery. She was able to be in the north with her daughter and live a free life. The hardships that slaves had to go through to resist slavery was not easy, but many would put in the effort to make it worth it. Resistance was the only hope for slaves, because slave owners were not going to treat them fairly. Whether it took physically resistance, escaping from the slave owner, or buying back freedom, these were the methods used by slaves to demonstrate they would no longer accept slavery. In Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl these methods are illustrated to show how life was like. It showed that there was a way to escape from something that has been holding you back the whole time.

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