Book Review (Book Review Sample)

Name: Tutor: Course: Date: In The Eyes of a Slave Girl Introduction The author in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Harriet Jacobs, begins her story with an autobiography. She incorporates the pseudonym Linda Brent as the first-person account narration. In this narrative, she illustrates the painful experiences she undergoes as a slave. As the narrative opens, Linda recounts her personal story of sexual exploitation, degradation, as well as enslavement. Often viewed as a transposed account of slavery, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl reveals the brutalities and challenges experienced by the enslaved women. The abuse of slavery accounts as the central theme in this narrative as it incorporates the struggle for self-respect and self-definition that the slaves undergo. Literary Analysis The setting of the story takes place in Edenton, North Carolina (Jacobs 21). The account of the story dates back to the Northern Free States in the nineteenth century. Linda does not describe the town of Edenton, but the audience gets a glimpse of a small town with only two main streets. Edenton also appears tight-knit as the white and black communities are close, contrary to the expectations of the audience. In her narrative, Linda supports this argument by stating “…many people bought crackers from my grandmother, and all white people respected her to the extent of overlooking Dr. Flint’s crackers” (Jacobs 49). Even though this narrative is based on slavery, common attributes to slavery are lacking. Such aspects include whipping of slaves, selling of slaves, and the lack of slave hands. Another peculiar aspect lies in that Dr. Flint can use force to rape Linda, but holds that he must obtain her consent (Jacobs 57). The context of this narrative does not explain why the slaves seem to possess some ideal freedom. Linda appears to be a pampered slave. She has the privilege to stay with her family and wins respect from the white people in her town. A critical review indicates that the author uses classic, conversational, and a realistic writing style. The book is ‘attractive and simple’ as the audience feels as they were reading the book rather than communicating with the woman in the plot. It is evident throughout the text that the author uses simple language that the audience can readily understand. Even though Jacobs does not narrate her story by using metaphors, she applies self-dialogue and anecdotes to deliver the theme of the story. For example, the author begins the text by stating “I was born a slave, however, I never knew it until six years of childhood passed away” (Jacobs 17). Another key stylistic feature of the narrative involves the direct appeals to the audience. The narrator seems to indict the readers after experiencing the challenges associated with slavery. She indulges the audience by asking, “In consideration of these things, why are you men and women of the North free? Why do your tongues waver in the request for justice and equality?” The integration of direct appeals to the reader and anecdotes arguably suggests that the narrator is trying to link slavery to the ignorance of the nineteenth-century audience and their failure to oppose slavery. Jacobs recognizes that she has to incorporate stylistic devices such as initial situation and character conflict to shake up the recipe of the text and integrate the minds of the reader. In initial situation, Linda realizes that she is born in chains as she becomes a slave at the age of six. However, as her mistress teaches her to read, she presupposes that no one should be a slave. The complication is depicted by the fact that Linda is sixteen years and has her second pregnancy. As Linda gets herself knocked up, she looks forward to Dr. Flint selling her. She is, however, stuck as she cannot run off to North and abandon her kids. Suspense is incorporated as Linda moves to New York. For a limited time, the readers witness the joy of Linda in finding a new job as well as home. Through successive ploys, Linda manages to hide from Dr. Flint, who is still in her pursuit. As the narrative continues, Peter steps in with a plan to save Linda. Peter suggests that she should board a ship sailing north. After successive hawing and hemming, Linda agrees to sail off into an uncertain future (Jacobs 87). The trepidation is at the climax when the US government passes the Fugitive Slave Act. This action meant that the northerners that dedicated their efforts to helping slaves, including Linda, broke the law. In analyzing the point of view, a remarkable aspect of the narrative is that a former female slave writes it. This story arguably sets itself apart from other narratives through various aspects. The story seems to appeal directly to women, focusing on the particular challenges that women experienced during slavery. Even though a significant part of the book illustrates the escape attempts of Linda, the main audience for this narrative is the white northern woman, who was often classified as the ‘cult of true womanhood’ (...