Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

by

Harriet Jacobs

Phillip Character Analysis

Grandmother’s son, and Linda’s uncle. Although most of Grandmother’s children are sold away from her, she manages to purchase Phillip’s freedom. As a free man, he becomes a respected figure in the black community; he’s very resourceful and helps hide Linda in the shed after her escape. Linda is surprised to see that the city newspaper publishes an obituary for him upon his death, a privilege almost never extended to African Americans.
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Phillip Character Timeline in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

The timeline below shows where the character Phillip appears in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter Four: The Slave Who Dared to Feel Like a Man
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Motherhood and Family Theme Icon
Once Benjamin has reached New York, he meets up with his brother Phillip, who is there on business for his mistress. He encourages Phillip to escape and join... (full context)
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
When Phillip brings this news to Grandmother, the old woman is sadder at losing Benjamin than she... (full context)
Chapter Eleven: The New Tie to Life
Motherhood and Family Theme Icon
Uncle Phillip returns to the city from a business trip, but Linda is saddened and ashamed to... (full context)
Chapter Nineteen: The Children Sold
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
...he actually stops a few miles away and releases William, Benny, and Ellen to Uncle Phillip. He seems to think that the deception is a good joke, and congratulates William on... (full context)
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Motherhood and Family Theme Icon
Dr. Flint visits Grandmother in a fury, threatening to kill her and Phillip if he finds out they’re helping Linda. Grandmother is unmoved, knowing how much his power... (full context)
Chapter Twenty: New Perils
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Dr. Flint has Uncle Phillip arrested, trying to charge him with helping Linda. Mr. Sands works to have him released,... (full context)
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Linda has arranged to meet her Uncle Phillip, but she doesn’t know if she’s escaping or going to hide somewhere else. Betty gives... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-One: The Loophole of Retreat
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Motherhood and Family Theme Icon
...a small shed, which has a tiny garret between the joists and the pointed roof. Phillip has constructed a trap door for access into the garret, which is barely more than... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Five: Competition in Cunning
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
...He sees this as an opportunity to lure Linda south again, and says that Uncle Phillip should go to see her and promise that Dr. Flint will free her if she... (full context)
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Uncle Phillip refuses to take on this task, making the excuse that the North is full of... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Six: Important Era in My Brother’s Life
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Mr. Sands tells Uncle Phillip that William left brazenly; he even saw him carrying his trunk away, but William claimed... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Aunt Nancy
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Women Theme Icon
Linda is devastated to hear of Aunt Nancy’s death, although Uncle Phillip assures her she died happy. Linda reflects bitterly that Mrs. Flint “rendered her poor foster-sister... (full context)
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Preparations for Escape
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
...the North on a ship. She has two weeks to decide what to do. Uncle Phillip urges her to go and even talks Grandmother into the plan. Linda gets ready for... (full context)
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Uncle Phillip says that Linda must get on the boat with Fanny. Informed about the emergency, Peter... (full context)
Chapter Thirty: Northward Bound
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
At the wharf, Linda bids farewell to Uncle Phillip and Peter; she’s grateful that her friend has risked so much for her, and deeply... (full context)
Chapter Forty-One: Free At Last
The Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery Theme Icon
Grandmother lives long enough to hear of Linda’s freedom before her death. Soon afterward, Uncle Phillip dies as well. Linda is surprised to see his obituary published in the newspaper—normally, such... (full context)