If a slave is unwilling to go with his new master, he is whipped, or locked up in jail, until he consents to go, and promises not to run away during the year.
Harriet Ann JacobsRead
I would rather drudge out my life on a cotton plantation, till the grave opened to give me rest, than to live with an unprincipled master and a jealous mistress.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a preference for hard labor under fair conditions over an oppressive and unjust situation.
Harriet Ann Jacobs, through this quote, reveals her deep disdain for living under the tyranny of a cruel master and jealous mistress, implying that preserving one's dignity and autonomy is more valuable than a life of ease under exploitation. She emphasizes the ultimate value of personal integrity and freedom over the pain of hard labor, illustrating a profound moral stance on the importance of living a life guided by principles rather than subjugation to immoral authority.
Themes
FreedomDignityLaborOppressionIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civil rights, to illustrate the importance of autonomy.
More from Harriet Ann Jacobs
All quotes βThe war of my life had begun; and though one of God's most powerless creatures, I resolved never to be conquered.
Harriet Ann JacobsRead
No pen can give an adequate description of the all-pervading corruption produced by slavery.
Harriet Ann JacobsRead
But I now entered on my fifteenth year - a sad epoch in the life of a slave girl. My master began to whisper foul words in my ear. Young as I was, I could not remain ignorant of their import
Harriet Ann JacobsRead
Southern women often marry a man knowing that he is the father of many little slaves. They do not trouble themselves about it.
Harriet Ann JacobsRead
If you want to be fully convinced of the abominations of slavery, go on a southern plantation, and call yourself a negro trader. Then there will be no concealment; and you will see and hear things that will seem to you impossible among human beings with immortal souls.
Harriet Ann JacobsRead
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