The Deeper Wrong

by Jacobs, Harriet Ann; Child, Lydia Maria Francis

• ISBN13: 9781108025010
• ISBN10: 1108025013
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-01-27
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813-1897) was born into slavery in North Carolina, but escaped to the north to flee her owner's sexual advances. This autobiography was published under a pseudonym in 1861 to protect her family. She became involved with the Anti-Slavery Society, speaking at meetings in support of abolition. The book was aimed at middle-class white women, and stresses the impact of slavery on women's chastity, as slaves were frequently sexually exploited. She is highly critical of the nominal Christianity of the culture of the southern States. Much of the narrative deals with her efforts to regain her children, who had remained her master's property. Jacobs' first-hand account was an early publication of its type, and many found the abuse she suffered shocking and unbelievable. Jacobs became a role model for freed slaves, in taking control of her life, and helping others to adapt through education.

Table of Contents

Preface by the author

Introduction by the editor

Childhood

The new master and mistress

The slaves' New Year's Day

The slave who dared to feel like a man

The trials of girlhood

The jealous mistress

The lover

What slaves are taught to think about the north

Sketches of neighboring slaveholders

A perilous passage in the slave girl's life

The new tie to life

Fear of insurrection

The church and slavery

Another link to life

Continued persecutions

Scenes at the plantation

The flight

Months of peril

The children sold

New perils

The loophole of retreat

Christmas festivities

Still in prison

The candidate for Congress

Competition in cunning

Important era in my brother's life

New destination for the children

Aunt Nancy

Preparations for escape

Northward bound

Incidents in Philadelphia

The meeting of mother and daughter

A home found

The old enemy again

Prejudice against color

The hair-breadth escape

A visit to England

Renewed invitation to go south

The confession

The fugitive slave law

Free at last

Appendix

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.