Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

  Using Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, you will need to write an essay of at least 750 words answering ALL of the following questions using specific evidence from the book to support your answers fully. 1) Describe Linda’s childhood and relationship with her family. Was she treated in a “typical” manner that we would expect for slaves during this period? How was her treatment either typical or atypical in your opinion? 2) Linda says, “Slavery is terrible for men; but it is far more terrible for women.” What causes her to make this statement? Why does she believe this idea to be true? After reading this book, do you agree or disagree with her assessment? Be sure to explain why fully. 3) What sorts of punishments does Linda describe as common for slaves? How common did these punishments seem? What do these punishments show us about the nature of slavery? 4) What happens to Linda after she ran away from Dr. Flint? Where does she hide? What were the conditions like where she was staying? How long is she forced to stay there before she can leave for the north? What was the most difficult aspect of this period for her? 5) How does Linda describe racial relations in the north? Does she feel as if she is an equal there? How does the north compare to her time in England? 6) How does Linda describe the impact of the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act? How does the passage of the law- and the repercussions of it- finally allow for her to get her freedom? Was she granted her freedom in the way that she expected/ wanted?