Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Study Guide
Chapter 1 – Childhood
Linda recounts early childhood before she is a slave
Father is a carpenter
He is very good at his craft so he is granted many privileges as that of a free man
Reader learns about Linda’s mother, brother William, and Uncle Benjamin, who is sold at 10 years old.
Aunt Martha, Linda’s maternal grandmother, is described as a strong-willed, resourceful woman, who begins baking in order to earn money to buy her children’s freedom.
Aunt Martha earns $300, which she lends to her mistress.
Mistress never pays her back
Linda’s mother dies when she is 6 years old.
At 12, Linda’s mistress dies and she is sold to the daughter of her mistress’ sister.
Chapter 2 – The New Master and Mistress
Linda is the property of Dr. Flint’s 5 year old daughter
Family also bought Linda’s brother William
Linda recalls her father’s death, her friends funeral, and the sale of her grandmother
Aunt Martha’s (Linda’s grandmother) mistress had always promised that when she died, Aunt Martha would be granted her freedom.
When the mistress dies, Dr. Flint takes back the promise and puts Aunt Martha up for sale.
Aunt Martha’s former mistress’ sister buys her, so that she in fact can have her freedom
Chapter 3 – The Slaves’ New Year’s Day
For slaves, New Year’s Day was hiring day
Slaves were expected to leave their families behind and go with their new masters on January 2nd
Slaves who were unwilling to go were whipped
Linda tells the story of a mother who watched all seven children being bought and an owner who tries to sell an old slave who served his family for 70 years to anyone who would give $20
Chapter 4 – The Slave Who Dared to Feel Like a Man
Aunt Martha was now the mistress of her own home
Benjamin and Linda wished they could join her
William was now 12 and all three children hated Dr. Flint
Linda writes: "When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in every thing; that I was nothing but
Study Guide
Chapter 1 – Childhood
Linda recounts early childhood before she is a slave
Father is a carpenter
He is very good at his craft so he is granted many privileges as that of a free man
Reader learns about Linda’s mother, brother William, and Uncle Benjamin, who is sold at 10 years old.
Aunt Martha, Linda’s maternal grandmother, is described as a strong-willed, resourceful woman, who begins baking in order to earn money to buy her children’s freedom.
Aunt Martha earns $300, which she lends to her mistress.
Mistress never pays her back
Linda’s mother dies when she is 6 years old.
At 12, Linda’s mistress dies and she is sold to the daughter of her mistress’ sister.
Chapter 2 – The New Master and Mistress
Linda is the property of Dr. Flint’s 5 year old daughter
Family also bought Linda’s brother William
Linda recalls her father’s death, her friends funeral, and the sale of her grandmother
Aunt Martha’s (Linda’s grandmother) mistress had always promised that when she died, Aunt Martha would be granted her freedom.
When the mistress dies, Dr. Flint takes back the promise and puts Aunt Martha up for sale.
Aunt Martha’s former mistress’ sister buys her, so that she in fact can have her freedom
Chapter 3 – The Slaves’ New Year’s Day
For slaves, New Year’s Day was hiring day
Slaves were expected to leave their families behind and go with their new masters on January 2nd
Slaves who were unwilling to go were whipped
Linda tells the story of a mother who watched all seven children being bought and an owner who tries to sell an old slave who served his family for 70 years to anyone who would give $20
Chapter 4 – The Slave Who Dared to Feel Like a Man
Aunt Martha was now the mistress of her own home
Benjamin and Linda wished they could join her
William was now 12 and all three children hated Dr. Flint
Linda writes: "When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in every thing; that I was nothing but