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.