"The Slave Mother"

Frances E. W. Harper's poem, The Slave Mother, tells a story about a slave mother and son. Through this seemingly simple plot, Harper is able to use the poetic element of imagery to convey and construct vivid images that appeal directly to the senses. The beginning of the poem starts off "Heard you that shriek? It rose So wildly on the air, It seemed as if a burden'd heart Was breaking in despair" (ln 1-4). The image of a burden'd heart stuck out to me instantly; it shows that even though the did has not been done quite yet, the anticipation is breaking her heart. Harper goes on to describe how every glance was painful, every thought of the women loosing her son was a "storm of agony", with using the image of a storm as something that is forceful and powerful. Later in the poem, Harper explains, that as a slave, "He is not hers, although she bore For him a mother's pains; He is not hers, although her blood Is coursing through her vains (ln 17-21). I believe that is one of the most powerful stanzas in the whole poem. It describes how even though the boy was has his mother's blood, she is not really his, he belongs to their master. This poem is definitely advocating for social reform; in this case, she is using heart wrenching images to emphasize her desire to keep families together, even if they are slaves. Harper's point is summed up simply in the last stanza, it states "She is a mother, and her heart Is breaking in despair" (ln 39-40). She is a mother who deserves to have her son, no matter what.

The Importance of Language

Harriet Jacobs uses a variety of specific language in chapter 10 of Incidents of  Slave Girl. She starts the chapter by using language that is very strong and biting. This is especially prevalent when Linda explains how Dr. Flint was building her a house. She is very bitter towards him and it shows through her statement of "I vowed before my Maker that I would never enter it. I had rather toil on the plantation from dawn till dark; I had rather live and die in jail, than drag on, from day to day, through such a living death". The phrase "through such a living death" was what hit me the most. In that way, Jacob's used very dark language to emphasize her hatred towards Dr. Flint and the house. Later in the chapter, Jacobs describes another conversation with Dr. Flint regarding the house. She refuses to go, which angers him, but Jacob's finally explains that she also won't go because she is pregnant with Mr. Sands child. Her tone is almost prideful and she is somewhat giddy for standing up to him. Her tone changes suddenly when she tells her grandmother. Her grandmother's language is hurtful and biting and all Linda can do is cry and be ashamed, she even goes as far as praying to die. That language was used to make an impact, to emphasize the fact that she is ashamed and hurting. This whole chapter uses language that makes you feel for Linda and her situation. This chapter is very important for the rest of the work and helps convey the whole message.      

Race and Culture

Both race and culture are two aspects of history that are always creating conflict. Linda, from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, represents the epitome of being in the middle. It is written that her skin was "a light shade or brownish yellow, and were termed mulattoes" (770). Being called mulattoes emphasizes the fact that she was in the middle, she was neither white nor black. Even though she grew up as a slave, she seemed to have a fairly decent childhood. She had a decent amount of freedom and was able to enjoy her childhood. Her father was a skilled carpenter and was able to work under certain conditions. From that point of view, it seems that she grew up in a white family. Once Linda came to the realization that she was a slave, her life started to change. Even though she initially had a good and kind mistress who taught her how to read a write, she was eventually sent to Dr. Flint. It was obvious that Dr. Flint favored her, but ended up treating her badly due to jealousy. it was because of ill treatment and persecution that she seemed to be living the life of a black slave.  Linda was a different kind of slave; she was independent, stubborn and strong willed. She was definitely caught in the middle of two different races, but I really believe she made her own path and was able to distinguish herself from the rest.

The Broken Glass

The specific elements of fiction are important when it comes to analyzing the content and underlying meaning of this work as a whole. Through reading "The Tenth of January", by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, I came to recognize her frequent use of symbols; glass and brokenness were both used frequently, both together and separately. The symbol of glass is first used as a looking-glass. Asenath is using it look at her reflection, and because of her not typically "beautiful" appearance. Phelps describes Asenath as locking her door, putting her lamp before the looking-glass and taring off her
gray cape; she tore it off so savagely that the button snapped and rolled away,—two little crystal semicircles like tears upon the floor. I thought the buttons on the coat could be represented in two different ways, one being her anger and frustration towards her appearance, by tearing of her coat, and having the buttons represent tears, highlighting her vulnerability. From this example, we can already tell that glass is being symbolized in a negative light. The next time the symbol of glass is used, it is paired with the other symbol of brokenness, it seems to be used in a slightly more positive light, but it really is not. Phelps writes "The broken panes of glass about the place were well mended, and a clever little gate, extemporized from a wild grape-vine, swung at the entrance". The fact that the glass panes have been mended gives us some hope, but there is still the fact that they were once broken. Once glass is broken, it can never be fully mended. This symbolism could be used to represent Asenath's love for Dick, but there is still cracks in her love and life.  Glass is a very important symbol in this short story. It is used to emphasize the fact the Asenath is unsure about herself and feels like broken glass due being humiliated and unsure. This all helps lead to the end of the short story, along with her eventual death. 

What is really old fashion??

In Irving's short story, "The Wife", he portrays women in a very idealistic way; they are described as loyal, caring, comforting and extremely supportive. Even though many would say women have many more responsibilities now, regarding employment and similar things, I believe that the marital values Irving displays are ones that are starting to disintegrate from modern marriages. Women are supposed to be loyal and supportive of their husbands, even if they have their own responsibilities. The idea of individual responsibility leads into the importance Americans place on the economy. In "The Wife', Irving describes the husbands fear to explain to his wife their sudden financial loss, mainly because he wants her to be treated like a Princess. The husband explains how he feels regarding pity by stating "if you have any pity on me, don't mention my wife; it is thought of her that drives me almost to madness". Once she does find out, she supports him with love and tries to make their new situation as comfortable as possible. Today, if many women found out that their financial situation was changing drastically, they would not likely be as supportive and understanding. This short story clearly displays the important connections between a women's character, marriage and economics and highlights how the emphasis on these topics has changed.