Love for Antebellum Slaves

Will Landschulz

Per. 2 Am Lit

Mrs. LaMagdeleine

 

In 19^th century Georgia, love for a slave is only permitted if the master agrees, and therefore is only allowed when the master is benefited in some way.  In Harriet Jacobs’ autobiographical book Incidents in The Life of a Slave Girl, the main character “Linda” tries to sell herself to her lover, a free black man, so that he can free her.  Unfortunately for Linda, her owner’s father, Dr. Flint, sees more value in keeping her as a slave.  When a friend of Dr. Flint’s tries to exert her influence in Linda’s favor, she is rebuffed and can do nothing more than alert Dr. Flint to Linda’s attempted escape.  Dr. Flint then tells Linda in no uncertain terms that she may not court the freeman and that she had better take one of his slaves as a husband instead.  There is no hope for Linda and her lover, and the freeman goes to Savannah and, hopefully, to the North, while Linda stays within Dr. Flint’s power as the slave to his daughter.