Bonus Blog: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

          As discussed in class, Harriet Jacob’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl employs a highly emotional and distressed diction reminiscent of 19^th century sentimental novels. Chapter 10 highlights this apologetic approach when the narrator pleas for her “virtuous readers” to “pity [her], and pardon [her]…” sexual immorality (778). Using words such as “desperate” and “wretched” in articulating the humiliation she feels after her sexual pursuit, Jacobs paints a vivid picture of a tormented girl who becomes “…reckless in [her] despair” to escape sexual advances from her master (777). As Jacobs addressed in the preface, her purpose in writing the narrative was to “arouse the women of the North to a realizing sense of the condition of two million women in the South” who were subject to gross sexual victimization by their white masters (769). Jacob’s heartbreaking memoir calls for a denunciation of this sick moral corruption that robs slave girls of their female virtue and self-respect. Linda’s self-condemnation and deep remorse over her illicit relationship with Mr. Sands helps her character gain sympathy from Northern women, while her defiant perseverance garners praise and hope in her sisters of the South. By creating a female hero that appeals to a wide female readership, Jacobs political message resonates with women from all walks of life to take action against a dehumanizing injustice. 

“…the condition of a slave confuses all principles of morality, and, in fact, renders the practice of them impossible” 

- Harriet Jacobs

The Tragic Mulatto

In Lydia Maria Child’s, The Quadroons, both Rosalie and her daughter Xarifa are victimized because of their biracial heritage. In this story of the Tragic Mulatto, both characters are defeated by circumstances that lead to their tragic deaths. Despite being “highly cultivated in mind, manners, graceful as an antelope, and beautiful as the evening star,” Rosalie’s proscribed race forbids her from entering a legal marriage union with the man she loves. Despite these circumstances Rosalie replies, “Let the church that my mother loved sanction our union, and my own soul will be satisfied, without the protection of the state. If your affections fall from me, I would not, if I could, hold you by a legal fetter.” After many years of marriage, Rosalie comes to learn of his affections for a white woman and his intentions on marrying her, news that has left Rosalie heartbroken and devastated. Not legally bound to her love, she is powerless in the state of affairs. Deserted by her one true love, her only saving grace was her beautiful daughter Xarifa, but after enduring a year of “wild thoughts that pressed around her aching heart, and almost maddened her poor brain,” she was driven to suicide. Rosalie’s tragic death is a prime example of the hardships women of mixed race endured at the time. They had little, if any legal rights, and were similarly degraded as their African American sisters and brothers.

As for Xarifa, “what would be the destiny of this fascinating young creature, so radiant with life and beauty? She belonged to a proscribed race; and though the brown color on her soft cheek was scarcely deeper than the sunny side of a golden pear, yet was it sufficient to exclude her from virtuous society” (Child 7). Sheltered most of her life from the ridicule of the world, Xarifa was raised “like a flower deep hid in a rocky cleft” (Child 8). Unfortunately her tragedy landed her in the chains of slavery, “locked up…in the princely mansion of her master” (Child 9). Her sheltered childhood stripped away from her, Xarifa was exposed to the cruelties of bondage, and like her mother, was driven to a incomprehensible lunacy. Both women found love and lost love, powerless in their efforts to hold fast to the affections of their heart. 

Reflections on "The Wife"

Washington Irving’s short story “The Wife” is a sentimental tale on the power of love and a celebration of the sacred union between husband and wife. Comparing women to vines that “caress” and “cling” to the sturdy oak, which represents man, Irving presents an image of “the softer sex” as not only the “dependant and ornament of man,” but “his stay and solace when [he] is smitten with calamity, winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart” (526). I absolutely loved this imagery! Although I myself am not married, I have witnessed married couples compensate for each others weaknesses by capitalizing on the strengths that are inherent in their nature. Here we see women emerge as comforters and supporters of their husbands in the midst of adversity. Deeply embedded in her nature, sympathy is one of women’s highest virtues: “There is in every true woman’s heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity...” (528). Although women have proved to be far more than mere dependants in modern relationships, tenderness is deeply woven in the fabric of the female character; I believe we were divinely designed to be creatures of nurture, or as Irving so eloquently described, “ministering angel[s]” (528). Leslie’s wife is the epitome of the “ministering angel” (528). She is loving, tender, and accepting of her husband’s present economic misfortune. Her loyalty fosters a prosperity that far outweighs material wealth. Irving is therefore advocating the proverb “money can’t buy happiness” and places values of loyalty and perseverance above economic status.

What is an American?

            Analyzing the works we discussed in class, it has become apparent that defining what constitutes an American can have many viewpoints that are affected by time, personal experience, and a whole host of factors.

            The exercise and videos we watched in class prior to the readings exemplifies the many and varied perceptions of what defines and American. Some of the terms that were mentioned include: dreamers, educated, patriotic, diverse, leaders; some of the important symbols portrayed in the videos included historical landmarks, national objects and diverse landscapes. Moving onto the readings we were presented with interpretations of “what is an American” from figures that date back to our nation’s first beginnings. In his letter “What is an American,” de Crevecoeur’s definition is summarized in his concluding quote: “The American is a new man, who acts upon new principles; he must therefore entertain new ideas, and form new opinions. From involuntary idleness, servile dependence, penury, and useless labor, he has passed the toils to a very different nature, rewarded by ample subsistence—This is the American.” His celebration of our nation supports the principles of self-determination and freedom that we still uphold today. These principles can be termed the “American Dream,” which has been ingrained in the minds of Americans for centuries. My definition coincides with his in that I too am proud of what my country represents. Langston Hughes poem presents the perspective of the black man in America. Although his words reveal some issues with concepts of freedom and equal opportunity, his attitude is a hopeful one, but it also shows an anomaly in the American Dream. Prejudices unfortunately are still present today that hinder peoples opportunities, so the American Dream is somewhat idealized in this sense.

            The following two works focus on the issue of immigration. The New Colossus is a pro immigration piece that portrays America as a welcoming nation for refugees of other nations. It rings with the promise of freedom and celebrates lady liberty as the “Mother of Exiles.” Aldrich’s Unguarded Gates is the anti-immigration companion to The New Colossus. He is weary of America’s open-door policy and questions the character of immigrants whose histories have drove them out of their native lands. These poems definitely challenged my ideas on immigration, which presently aren’t necessarily pro or anti. I can definitely sympathize with people who are subject to corrupting governments and feel suffocated by inequality, but I also can relate to fears of job competition and overpopulation.

            After much reflection, I believe our class discussion confirmed my definition that Americans are a diversified group that enjoy liberties, are grounded in dreams, and exercise hopeful attitudes. The realist in me also understands that we live in an imperfect world and that these freedoms are accompanied by struggles and exceptions.