Harriet Jacobs Experiences in Slavery in the...

In the 1800’s, slaves and slave-holders had relationships that ranged anywhere from the highest at having the closest friend to the lowest at being master and pet. No matter the relationship all of these slaves held by people during this time all deserved their chance at freedom just like any slave-holder that owned them. Harriet Jacobs, writer of the autobiography Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, experiences slavery in a way that hundreds of others could have experienced. Although others may have seen and felt situations like that of Jacobs , the other slaves were not given the chance to express their emotions and skills through the possible writings, existing talents, or freedom. Jacobs’ father was a slave. Just like all others, except he was a very talented carpenter. Jacobs explains, â€Å"My father was a carpenter, and considered so intelligent and skilful in his trade, that, when buildings out of the common line were to be erected, he was sent down from lon g distances to be head workman.†(page 1809) Talents like this of Jacobs’ father may have existed within other slaves just as this skill had taken home within him. Another example of this was contained in Jacobs grandmother who had run a successful baking business. Her grandmother even became very close to her master, if they felt she was so precious, why not just let her free? This should be enough to prove that slaves had more to offer to the country than just hard labor and common house care. 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