INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL

ONE OF HUNDREDS OF SLAVE NARRATIVES PUBLISHED JUST BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR, THIS ACCOUNT IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT IS WRITTEN BY A WOMAN. THIS OFFERS A DIFFERENT, PERHAPS MORE REALISTIC, PERSPECTIVE ON SLAVE EXPERIENCE THAN THAT PRESENTED IN THE MORE TYPICAL 'HEROIC' MALE NARRATIVE. THE WORK IS NOTABLE FOR ITS BLENDING AND MANIPULATION OF SEVERAL NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE SENTIMENTAL NOVEL, OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY, AND OF THE CLASSICAL SLAVE NARRATIVE.