Read about Harriet Jacobs’ life and contributionsLinks to an external site..
Study the documentary Seeds of Destruction from minute 1:30-21:34 & from minute 39:09-44:30 on the life of Harriet Jacobs.
Read a short excerpt from Incidents in the Life of a Slave GirlLinks to an external site.
In a short essay describe and explain 3 aspects of Harriet Jacobs life (as related in the assigned sources) that added to your understanding of the institution of slavery. Responses should be thoughtful and thorough, assess historical significance, and specifically cite the film Seeds of Destruction and the excerpt from Incidents in the Life. Ideally, the essay should be structured with an introduction, 3 paragraphs on the aspects of her life you chose to emphasize and with select evidence from the assigned sources, and then a concluding paragraph that addresses historical significance.
For example, you might consider writing about the importance of family, motherhood, the role of religion, sexual relations and sexual violence, or the world Jacobs found in the North as related in the sources by and/or about Harriet Jacobs. Or, you could consider the quote “My master had power and law on his side; I had a determined will. There is might in each.” and what Jacobs meant by this? There are many options. In all cases students must write in their own words and should demonstrate comprehension.
This assignment is worth 15 points and cannot be one of the writing assignments that is automatically dropped at the end of the semester.
