Although there are many books written on the subject of slavery, few have authors who experienced the brutality of slavery first-hand. This is attributed to the fact that slaves, in most instances, were not permitted to read or write. Luckily this was not the case of Harriet Jacobs who took her ability of writing and recorded the hardships that she endured having been born into slavery. Jacob’s changes the names of both people and locations, even opting to refer to herself as Linda Brent. I had thought that this was done out of fear of retaliation by the people involved, particularly the whites. However, it was done out of courtesy, showing Jacob’s good character in giving respect to those that had shown her none. The main purpose of this book is to give people an inside look at some of the atrocities that took place during slavery. Jacob’s hope was to give thousands of White Northern women “a realizing sense of the condition of two millions of women at the South, still in bondage, suffering what I have suffered, and most of them far worse.” This book does just that and much more. It will reach the heart of any person that reads it and will instill in them the idea that

The story is conveyed through a simplistic style. It is fairly easy to understand since the author doesn’t really use any uncommon or lengthy words. The only time I found myself struggling with the reading is when she uses vernacular. I found it both annoying to read and also unnecessary. Thankfully, it is not done often enough to take away from the overall ease of reading the book gives. The events that take place in the book are done mostly in order avoiding the reader any confusion. There are times when the author may have a flashback, but it is pertinent to the event at hand and it is thoroughly explained as to how it fits into the story time wise. The same goes for any story that she may tell on the side. Every account told of is adding to the story by enabling the reader to try and understand what they are going through. Sometimes the reader may find it hard to believe that all of these events took place. Through history classes and books, we know that slavery existed and that it was brutal. Yet we most often never get into the details of everyday slave life and the effects it has on those under it. It’s like we know it was bad, but we didn’t think it was that bad. From slaves being brutally punished to slaves enduring constant badgering, it is all contained in this book. You don’t want to believe it is true, but you have no reason not to. Even after slaves were freed, they were treated poorly even though their status in society was raised. What would lead you to believe that they weren’t treated worse when they were considered to be no more then animals? The book spends nearly half of it’s 228 pages describing the hardships endured by either that of her friends, her family, or that of herself. She more then justifies her reasons for the emancipation of slaves and as to why she is so determined to escape her master. She goes well beyond just the telling of stories by describing the emotions that are involved and the effects they have on family and friends. This causes the reader to look at this novel as being more than just an entertaining story. I found this book interesting yet also very troubling. It amazes me that people can treat other human beings as if they were animals and void of any emotion, especially when those giving the abuse claim to be Christian. This same stance is held by the author when she states, “Religion is not a garb put on for Sunday and laid aside again til next Sunday, as it is for most masters. (pg.53

Some topics in this essay:
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