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Similes
Key Examples in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Chapter Twelve: Fear of Insurrection
Explanation and Analysis—All Ye Are Brethren:
The book frequently satirizes white enslavers' hypocritical version of Christianity. In Chapter 12, after Nat Turner's Rebellion, Jacobs describes how the Black church is demolished and enslaved people made to attend white churches:
The slaves begged the privilege of again meeting at their little church in the woods, with their burying ground around it. […] Their request was denied, and the church was demolished. They were permitted to attend the white churches […]. There, when every body else had partaken of the communion, and the benediction had been pronounced, the minister said, “Come down, now, my colored friends.” They obeyed the summons, and partook of the bread and wine, in commemoration of the meek and lowly Jesus, who said, “God is your Father, and all ye are brethren.”
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Chapter Thirteen: The Church and Slavery
Explanation and Analysis—Dark Corners:
In Chapter 13, Jacobs remarks on the situational irony of white Americans sending Christian missionaries abroad when Americans at home are kept "in the dark" about Christianity:
Unlock with LitCharts A+They send the Bible to heathen abroad, and neglect the heathen at home. I am glad that missionaries go out to the dark corners of the earth; but I ask them not to overlook the dark corners at home. Talk to American slaveholders as you talk to savages in Africa. Tell them it is wrong to traffic in men. [...]
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Chapter Twenty-Two: Christmas Festivities
Explanation and Analysis—Gifts from Santa:
In Chapter 22, Linda makes new Christmas clothes for her children with materials Grandmother sneaks into her garret hiding place. This moment is laden with situational irony that underscores the tragedy of Linda's situation:
Unlock with LitCharts A+I heard Benny ask a little playmate whether Santa Claus brought him any thing. “Yes,” replied the boy; “but Santa Claus ain’t a real man. It’s the children’s mothers that put things into the stockings.” “No, that can’t be,” replied Benny, “for Santa Claus brought Ellen and me these new clothes, and my mother has been gone this long time.”
How I longed to tell him that his mother made those garments, and that many a tear fell on them while she worked!
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