The slave narrative played a crucial role in the period of the abolitionist movement and thus became an important genre of American literature. The majority of slave narratives were written by men and therefore the experiences of most slaves were told from a male perspective. One of the most popular female slave narratives however, is "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" written by Harriet Ann Jacobs. She was the first fugitive female slave who published a full-length narrative under the pseudonym Linda Brent in 1861. As the opening quote shows, Harriet Jacobs’ work deals with the unique experiences of female slaves. She addresses sensitive topics such as physical abuse and sexual violence, in order to emphasize that women experienced slavery differently than for example black men or white women. Female slaves were not only faced with racism but also sexism, classism and many other forms of oppression. Against this background, this thesis suggests that Linda Brent’s experiences during slavery are a prime example for intersectionality. It is designed in order to critically analyze the experiences and oppression of female slaves on the basis of the narrative "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl".
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Socio-Historical Background of Discrimination and Oppression
- Gender
- Race and Ethnicity
- Class
- Intersectionality
- The Slave Narrative
- Intersectionality in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
- Gender
- Race
- Class
- Discussion
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to critically analyze the experiences and oppression of female slaves based on Harriet Jacobs’ narrative, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, through the lens of intersectionality. The main objective is to explore how the theory of intersectionality can be applied to explain the unique forms of oppression faced by Linda Brent in slavery.
- The socio-historical context of discrimination and oppression in the United States, particularly focusing on the intersection of gender, race, and class.
- The theory of intersectionality and its historical development.
- The genre of the slave narrative and its social-historical background.
- The specific experiences of Linda Brent, a female slave, as a prime example of intersectionality in practice.
- An exploration of the different systems of oppression present in the narrative, including racism, sexism, and classism.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The thesis begins by providing a thorough explanation of the social and historical context of discrimination and oppression in the United States, emphasizing the contradiction between the ideals of equality and the reality of racial, gender, and class-based inequalities. The chapter then delves into the specific definitions of gender, race, and class, contextualizing them within the framework of the thesis question. The following chapter focuses on the theory of intersectionality, its origins, and its importance in understanding the multi-faceted experiences of oppression.
The chapter on the slave narrative examines the genre's historical background and significance as a vital tool for the abolitionist movement. The analysis of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl then explores the various systems of oppression faced by Linda Brent, showcasing how her experiences embody the principles of intersectionality. The thesis explores the ways in which her gender, race, and class intersect to create a unique and complex form of oppression.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this work include intersectionality, discrimination, oppression, gender, race, class, slave narrative, and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. This thesis examines the interaction of these systems of oppression, particularly within the context of Harriet Jacobs' narrative, to understand the unique experiences of female slaves during the era of slavery in the United States.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2019, Intersectionality in Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1266142
