As Linda laments the birth of her daughter, Ellen, she says "Slavery is terrible for men; but it is far more terrible for women."
Why was slavery "far more terrible for women"? Because, as Jacobs' story so poignantly illustrates, in addition to the horrors and brutalities endured by enslaved men, women bore the added anguish of being wrenched from their children. To compound their pain and degradation, enslaved women were often used as "breeders," forced to bear children to add to their master's "stock," but denied the right to care for them. In fact, it was not unusual for the plantation master to satisfy his lust with his female slaves and force them to bear his offspring. As Linda points out, children from such unions were often sold to protect the honor and dignity of the slaveholder's wife, who would otherwise be forced to face the undeniable evidence of her husband's lust.
In describing the economics of slavery, historians point out that although male slaves were generally valued for their labor and physical strength, females were valued for their offspring.
When Jacobs wrote her narrative, she addressed the women of the North, hoping to make them aware that, unless they spoke out in protest, they were just as guilty as Southern slaveholders of supporting and perpetuating the system of slavery.
Although Jacobs' Incidents bears numerous similarities to Frederick Douglass' Narrative, in many ways, it is radically different because it addresses the issues of female bondage and sexual abuse from a woman's perspective. For example, although Douglass' story focuses on the quest for literacy and free speech, Jacobs' story focuses on the rights of women to protect their families and raise their children. And although Douglass' narrative revolves around the fight for freedom of one independent individual, Jacobs' describes the struggle for freedom of a woman supported by her family and community. In short, Jacobs presents a decidedly feminist view of slavery.
