Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

by

Harriet Jacobs

Linda’s son and first child with Mr. Sands. Benny’s birth gives Linda, exhausted and overwhelmed by years of Dr. Flint’s harassment, a reason to live and a new sense of determination to escape slavery. He grows up to be a stalwart and intelligent boy; for example, although Linda doesn’t tell her children she’s hiding in the crawlspace, he deduces it for himself and keeps watch over the yard so that no one gets too near her refuge. Benny is purchased and freed by Mr. Sands and travels to New York to be reunited with his mother. He apprentices with a shipbuilder, but when his colleagues learn he’s mixed-race, he loses his job and joins a whaling expedition instead.

Benny Quotes in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

The Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl quotes below are all either spoken by Benny or refer to Benny. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
).
Chapter 29 Quotes

We knelt down together, with my child pressed to my heart, and my other arm round the faithful, loving old friend I was about to leave forever. On no other occasion has it ever been my lot to listen to so fervent a supplication for mercy and protection. It thrilled through my heart, and inspired me with trust in God.

Related Characters: Harriet Jacobs / Linda Brent (speaker), Grandmother, Benny
Related Symbols: Houses and Homes
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 41 Quotes

Reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage….The dream of my life is not yet realized. I do not sit with my children in a home of my own.

Related Characters: Harriet Jacobs / Linda Brent (speaker), Ellen, Benny
Related Symbols: Houses and Homes
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 164
Explanation and Analysis:
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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl PDF

Benny Quotes in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

The Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl quotes below are all either spoken by Benny or refer to Benny. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
).
Chapter 29 Quotes

We knelt down together, with my child pressed to my heart, and my other arm round the faithful, loving old friend I was about to leave forever. On no other occasion has it ever been my lot to listen to so fervent a supplication for mercy and protection. It thrilled through my heart, and inspired me with trust in God.

Related Characters: Harriet Jacobs / Linda Brent (speaker), Grandmother, Benny
Related Symbols: Houses and Homes
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 41 Quotes

Reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage….The dream of my life is not yet realized. I do not sit with my children in a home of my own.

Related Characters: Harriet Jacobs / Linda Brent (speaker), Ellen, Benny
Related Symbols: Houses and Homes
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 164
Explanation and Analysis: