Introduction
Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass are two powerful autobiographical accounts illuminating freedom and bondage issues. While Jacobs focuses on her experiences as a female enslaved person and Douglas focuses on the atrocities done to enslaved men, both works share much in common. Both writers emphasize the dehumanization that affected all enslaved people as well as the attempt of every individual to escape this regime and seek self-emancipation through overt and covert strategies.
Dehumanization
The first recurrent theme in both writers’ works is the one of dehumanization and the nature of bondage. In his book, Douglas focuses on “the brutalizing effects of slavery upon both slave and slaveholder” (Douglass, 1845, p.40). Based on the author’s recollections, the enslaved men were abused and denied any fundamental human rights, being treated like animals and working in harsh conditions. Living in fear, Douglas emphasizes that there was always “deep anxiety which was felt among us poor slaves” since everyone knew that there was no escape and no rescue from such a reality (Douglass, 1845, p.40).
Similarly, Harriet Jacobs focuses on the perspective of being an enslaved woman at such a time. The writer explains how many enslaved women were sexually abused and constantly feared being separated from their families. As she recalls, when she was only fifteen years old, her “master began to whisper foul words in [her] ear” (Jacobs, 1861, p.44). Through such experiences, she emphasizes how masters completely controlled the people, which allowed them to violate the “sacred commandments of nature” (Jacobs, 1861, p.45). Therefore, being dehumanized, enslaved people had no choice but to endure pain.
Self-Emancipation
Another recurrent theme in both works is strategies for resistance and self-emancipation. In the case of Frederick Douglas, the strategies of a man were focused on overt approaches, seeking education, and engaging in physical fights with white people. For example, in one part, he describes how he “seized Covey hard by the throat,” who was a local farmer notorious for abusing enslaved people (Douglass, 1845, p.61). His escape to the North catalyzes his freedom and intellectual liberation. Similarly, the experiences of Harriet Jacobs emphasize self-emancipation as well, but this time with a covert approach.
Being a mother who tries to escape slavery for the sake of her children’s well-being, Harriet was a refuge, hiding in Grandmother Martha’s attic. Harriet recollects that “There was no admission for either light or air” (Jacobs, 1861, p.173). Such actions demonstrate resilience and determination to escape the dangerous regime in favor of safety and forever liberty. Her path illuminates the unity of enslaved and formerly enslaved people in their kind actions of protection. Overall, both Jacobs and Douglas highlight perseverance and resourcefulness in their approaches.
Conclusion
In summary, both authors place special emphasis on the dehumanization that all enslaved people experienced, as well as every person’s desire, whether overt or covert, to flee this system and pursue self-emancipation. The first recurring issue in the writings of both authors is the nature of bondage and dehumanization. People who were enslaved were dehumanized and left with no choice but to suffer, with women struggling with sexual abuse and men being physically punished. A recurring motif in both pieces is the development of resistance and self-emancipation techniques. Jacobs and Douglas generally emphasize tenacity and inventiveness in their methods.
References
Douglass, F. (1845). Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Anti-Slavery Office.
Jacobs, H. A. (1861). Incidents in the life of a slave girl. Schlesinger Library.