Harriet Jacobs' Use of Religious Icons in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Abstract
Slavery in the United States was a harsh reality of life for slaves, particularly in the Southern part of the country. From the founding of America, many Southern African American people were enslaved by white men until the Abolitionist Movement succeeded in helping to officially abolish slavery in 1865. The Abolitionist movement was active between 1830-1860; members were free African Americans who worked to free their enslaved brethren. One of the predominant figures of the Abolitionist Movement was Harriet Jacobs, author of the slave narrative, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Within her slave narrative, Jacobs uses Christian icons to create parallels between her characters and characters of the Bible, ultimately arguing that the slave race, like the Jewish people, is chosen by God and will be rewarded for its suffering.
Session Name:
Arts and Icons: Creation and Expression in Comedia, Media, Art and Literature
Start Date
10-4-2015 1:15 PM
End Date
10-4-2015 2:15 PM
Location
HSB 209
Harriet Jacobs' Use of Religious Icons in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
HSB 209
Slavery in the United States was a harsh reality of life for slaves, particularly in the Southern part of the country. From the founding of America, many Southern African American people were enslaved by white men until the Abolitionist Movement succeeded in helping to officially abolish slavery in 1865. The Abolitionist movement was active between 1830-1860; members were free African Americans who worked to free their enslaved brethren. One of the predominant figures of the Abolitionist Movement was Harriet Jacobs, author of the slave narrative, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Within her slave narrative, Jacobs uses Christian icons to create parallels between her characters and characters of the Bible, ultimately arguing that the slave race, like the Jewish people, is chosen by God and will be rewarded for its suffering.