In this volume, Jennifer Fleischner examines the first- and best-known female account of life under, and escape from, slavery — Harriet Jacobs’ autobiography. In her introduction, Fleischner shows how Jacobs used the written word to liberate herself and promote the end of slavery by carefully dis...

In this volume, Jennifer Fleischner examines the first- and best-known female account of life under, and escape from, slavery — Harriet Jacobs’ autobiography. In her introduction, Fleischner shows how Jacobs used the written word to liberate herself and promote the end of slavery by carefully discussing her sexual exploitation as a slave in ways that would inspire sympathy in — and not offend — her Victorian white, middle-class, female audience. An updated introduction explores Jacobs’ personal struggles with religion and violent resistance, and connects her narrative to the broader history of the anti-slavery movement in the United States. The rich collection of related documents that accompany Jacobs’ complete narrative features three new sources, including the will of Jacobs’ owner Margaret Horniblow, the abolitionist emblem, and the original title page of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Updated document head notes, chronology, questions for consideration, selected bibliography, and index provide students with a valuable framework for understanding this period in United States history. Available in print and e-book formats.