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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself
When recalling the vices of ancient slavery, much focus is placed on the physical anguish of African Americans in the era of subjugation. While whites had rights, black slaves were deprived of their liberties, were entirely the property of their white owners and subject to all kinds of ill-treatment. Similar to Harriet Jacob’s story, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself, slaves faced harsh treatment from their bosses. Jacob’s novel depicts a young female slave, Jacob, who engages in sexual intercourse with a male who is not her husband and must face consequences of her moral decadence. Whereas the deed is viewed as immoral, Jacobs’ status of a slave does not leave her any choice. The following essay seeks to demonstrate how the subject of morality significantly impacted Jacobs in the entire text and decorated her rapport with other people.
I agree that the issue of morality colored Harriet Jacobs relation with other people after she was discovered to have had sexual intercourse with a male outside marriage. According to the novel’s setting, Harriet Jacob is a sinner. She is seen as immoral having slept with and borne two kids to a man she was not legally wedded to (Jacobs 29). At the time, individuals could readily admit that masculine slave bosses raped or had sex with female slaves. White males were allowed to do anything they desired, unlike their female counterparts who had to remain unadulterated and innocent (Jacobs 28).

Therefore, it was unexpected that feminine slaves decide with whom to have intercourse. In the same sense, female slaves were taken as ladies, not slaves, and thus, they were expected to uphold the moral code that applied to white women, to stay chaste and pure and find a male partner to wed and bear kids. Thus, based on the need for innocence among unmarried females, the author’s depiction of Jacobs as is justified.
I believe that Jacobs defied the moral standards of the system and deserved recompense for her acts. Following Jacobs decision to have sex before marriage and the male she had intercourse with was not her own; Jacobs is a sinner. Thus, when she has to endure an expiation procedure in which she passes seven years in a place of hiding, it is served her right. In the situation, Jacobs gets to contemplate about her wrongdoing and repent (Jacobs 48). Once she is through with her punishment and conditions are encouraging, Jacobs escapes; her kids later follow her. After the painful procedure, Jacobs becomes free. I am convinced by the author’s portrayal of Jacob’s punishment as a form of moral purification and a new beginning as it is seen towards the conclusion of her account, she attains legitimate liberty when her new owner releases her. The freedom symbolizes independence from both slavery and her sin – her sexual mistake.
I disagree that Jacobs should be blamed for her moral depravity of having sex out of marriage. Even though she apologizes for her immoral deeds, Jacobs claims that the entire system of slavery was to be held accountable, that slavery pushes her and fellow slaves into acting against their virtues and morals. She mentions that “the condition of a slave confuses all principles of morality, and, renders the practice of them impossible” (85). In this manner, Jacob suggests that two moralities are existent: those of free individuals and slaves. Also, the moral significance of purity in the novel is replaceable with a physical significance of freedom. According to Jacobs, liberty is of higher significance to a slave than pureness and, thus, she states, “the slave woman ought not to be judged by the same standards as others” (86). Although Jacob has attempted to resolve the forms of morality mentioned above, she eventually confesses her failure. Thus, following the ill manner in which the system treated, I am convinced that the society should be blamed for Jacobs moral depravity.
In conclusion, the notion of morality abundantly impacted Harriet Jacobs in the entire narrative coloring her relationships with other people. According to society, all females, white and black slaves alike, were expected to remain pure and innocent until marriage. Thus, when Jacobs performs sex with a man out of wedlock, the act is considered immoral, and she has to bear the consequences. Jacobs gains her freedom after the punishment. Although she apologizes for her wicked deed, she holds the society accountable for running the slaves’ morals.
Work Cited
Jacobs, Harriet Ann. Incidents in the life of a slave girl: Written by herself. Vol. 119. Harvard University Press, 2009.