In dieser Seminararbeit behandele ich Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl". Dabei wird das Werk einer genaueren Analyse unterzogen, um es literaturtheoretisch einordnen zu können. Dabei werden unter anderem die amerikanische Autobiographie sowie der slave narrative näher dargestellt.
'Incidents' ist ein slave narrative der besonderen Art, da er von einer Frau geschrieben wurde, die ganz anderen Reaktionen ausgesetzt war wie ein Mann in der damaligen Zeit. Dies wird auch in meiner Analyse deutlich.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Definition of the term Autobiography
III. Types of Autobiographies
1. Slave Narrative
2. Franklin’s Autobiography
3. Sentimental Novel
IV. Harriet Jacobs’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
1. The Historical Person of Harriet Jacobs
2. Olney’s Masterplan
a. The Role of a Female Slave
b. Social Criticism – the Myth of the “Southern Belle and the Hypocrisy of Paternalism of the “peculiar institution”
c. Conclusion on Olney’s Masterplan
3. Comparison between Benjamin Franklin and Harriet Jacobs
V. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines Harriet Jacobs's work "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" through the analytical lens of James Olney’s "Master Plan of Slave Narrative," while integrating elements of the sentimental novel. The primary research question explores how Jacobs adheres to or deviates from established autobiographical conventions to articulate her personal experience as a slave and a woman, and how she employs these literary structures to advocate for the abolitionist movement.
- The theoretical definition of the autobiography genre.
- Classification of slave narratives and sentimental novels as literary forms.
- Application of Olney’s masterplan criteria to Harriet Jacobs’s narrative.
- The intersection of gender, slavery, and Victorian virtues.
- A comparative analysis of the "Life Models" of Benjamin Franklin and Harriet Jacobs.
Excerpt from the Book
a. the role of a female slave
Jacobs does not simply reflect on slavery by pointing out the injustice that can clearly be seen by anyone, but rather concentrates on the impossibility of leading a life of ideal womanhood which included the virtues of piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity. To the master a female slave was nothing else but his property. As such she did not have any right of self-determination and therefore no right to have a family of her own. When the protagonist Linda asked Dr. Flint to get married to a free black man, he does give her his permission. Even if he had done so, she would not have had any rights concerning her children, since the child always followed the condition of the mother. Therefore, a slave’s child always belonged to the master.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Briefly introduces the scope of the term paper.
II. Definition of the term Autobiography: Explores the theoretical definitions of autobiography as a medium for reflecting personal development and interpretation of life events.
III. Types of Autobiographies: Analyzes the specific characteristics of slave narratives, Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, and the sentimental novel.
IV. Harriet Jacobs’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Provides a biographical background and performs an in-depth analysis of Jacobs's narrative structure compared to Olney's masterplan, gender roles, social criticism, and a comparison with Franklin.
V. Conclusion: Summarizes how Jacobs utilizes her unique autobiographical voice to challenge the justification of slavery and advance the abolitionist cause.
Keywords
Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Slave Narrative, Autobiography, Olney’s Masterplan, Sentimental Novel, Abolitionism, Gender Roles, Southern Belle, Peculiar Institution, Benjamin Franklin, Self-Education, Literacy, Paternalism, Victorian Virtues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing Harriet Jacobs's autobiography, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," to determine how it fits into the genre of slave narratives and how it utilizes literary techniques to criticize the institution of slavery.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the impact of slavery on motherhood and family, the hypocrisy of paternalism, the intersection of gender and race, and the role of literacy in the fight for freedom.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The objective is to examine how Jacobs uses autobiographical conventions, specifically those outlined by James Olney, to challenge the pro-slavery arguments of the 19th century and appeal to the moral sensibilities of her readers.
Which scientific method does the author employ?
The author employs a comparative literary analysis, applying predefined theoretical models (Olney’s Masterplan and the Puritan/Franklin model) to the text to evaluate its structural and thematic composition.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body evaluates Jacobs's adherence to the criteria of slave narratives, her usage of sentimental literary techniques, and a comparison between her life experiences and those of Benjamin Franklin.
How would you characterize the work with keywords?
The work is defined by terms such as Slave Narrative, Autobiography, Abolitionism, Gender Roles, and the critique of the "Peculiar Institution."
How does Jacobs contrast with Benjamin Franklin’s model?
While Franklin’s model focuses on individual self-determination, secularism, and financial success, Jacobs’s model is heavily constrained by her status as a slave, highlighting the systemic denial of self-determination based on gender and race.
What role does the "Sentimental Novel" play in Jacobs's work?
Jacobs employs sentimental techniques—such as emphasizing the separation of mothers and children—to emotionally engage the reader and evoke solidarity for the abolitionist cause.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Heyne (Author), 2004, Harriet Jacobs: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/38520
