The unnamed mistress of Mother and, during her early years, Linda. Mother and the mistress have an unusually close relationship, and at her deathbed the mistress promises to take care of her children. She takes the young girl under her wing, teaches her about religion, and treats her so kindly that Linda says she doesn’t even realize she’s a slave. However, on her death she doesn’t free the girl but leaves her to the Flints, plunging her into a decade of trouble. The mistress’s pious and kindly attitude contrasts with her actual behavior, and Linda uses this character to point out that people who make an outward show of religiosity often lack the moral strength that should come with such devotion.
First Mistress 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 First Mistress or refer to First Mistress. 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:
).
Chapter 1
Quotes
My mistress had taught me the precepts of God’s Word: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.” But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not recognize me as her neighbor.
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Explanation and Analysis:
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First Mistress 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 First Mistress or refer to First Mistress. 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:
).
Chapter 1
Quotes
My mistress had taught me the precepts of God’s Word: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.” But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not recognize me as her neighbor.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
