Essay On Harriet Jacob's Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl

In Harriet Jacob’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, the garret atop her grandmother’s house, in which Linda chooses to spend seven years of her life, symbolizes both the evils of slavery and the blessings of freedom. The garret, otherwise known as the loophole of retreat, measuring 9 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 3 feet sloping, fails to afford Linda with material comfort, consequently, deteriorating her physical and mental health. Lacking ventilation and light, the loophole’s narrow restraint alludes to the calamity of slavery, just as the Flints physically incarcerate Linda to domestic servitude prior to her escape. The absence of light represents the Flint’s depriving Linda, and all slaves, access to their children and self-awareness. However, through the act of choosing her retreat through a self-sought sanctuary, Linda equips herself with the tools to claim her agency by way of …show more content…
Although she is aware of the harsh punishment that accompanies harboring a fugitive slave, Linda’s grandmother accepts the risks out of love and concern for her granddaughter’s wellbeing. Linda’s grandmother is a free woman, and knows the perils of slavery firsthand. Regardless, she first urges Linda to remain with the Flints encouraging Linda to “give it [escaping] up. Try to bear a little longer. Things may turn out better than expect[ed]” (118). Despite her grandmother’s contestations, Linda escapes and seeks refuge by her grandmother, who in loving protection opens her arms and house to her desperate granddaughter. During the cold winter, a frostbitten Linda recounts that “the kind grandmother [brings her] bed-cloths and warm drinks” (149). Linda’s grandmother taking her in at a time of intense need reveals a circle of matriarchal guardianship that is stronger than any law, or threat from a powerful man such as Dr.