Monday, February 3, 2014
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Wow! What an impressive singular performance by Cherita Armstrong! I found the production today both poignant and enrapturing. For this entry, I would like you to 1) summarize your five chapters for the rest of the class (we'll still talk about them later) and 2) give us your review of the production.
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Chp. 1
ReplyDeleteThe first years of her life lives with her mother and father.
Both parents are slaves but are granted many freedoms.
Her mother passes away while she is young.
This is when she first finds out she is a slave.
Learns to read and write from owner but at age twelve this owner passes away.
Chp. 2
Gets a new master who is a five year old child.
William her brother is bought by the same owners parents Mr. And Mrs. Flint.
Her father passes away and their free grandmother does her best to try and take care of them.
Finally sees the first abuse towards slavery in the flint household.
Chp. 3
This chapter explains and gives us a brief history on the day of January 1 which is the day slaves fear because it is the day of the slave auction.
In this chapter Harriet also tells of how families became separated.
Chp. 4
This chapter tells about Harriet's brother and uncle and their self-worth.
Uncle and brother believe in their own rights as human beings.
The Flints see similar traits in Harriet and do their best to keep her from wanting those.
Benjamin her uncle gets in a tussle with his owner and runs away but is caught and put in jail.
Benjamin is released from prison escapes again and makes it to freedom in the north.
Chp. 5
This chapter is women's sexual slavery shows through when her master whispers obscene comments to her threatening her with physical injury.
These events at this time are common and occur often because the slave is owned by their master so at this time it was almost acknowledged with a sense of approval.
Review:
I thought it was a unique style of a play that allowed one actor to act out all the parts. Even though there was only one actor I felt I was able to follow the storyline quite well. Even though they didn't use props I was still able to tell the scene from what the character said. This play in today's time is pretty awesome because it could be put on as a play with a little amount of money needed to buy props or pay characters because there is only one. This play was unique but quite interesting and I enjoyed it a lot and if I had a chance to go to another one actor show I would definitely go.
Chapter 11: The chapter begins as Harriet's grandmother forgives her after confessing to her sins with Mr. Sands. When Dr. Flint finds out, he hits her and threatens her life. Her boldness stands up against him and she definitely does not take his treatment lightly. She even braves the horror of informing him of her pregnancy. When she has her child, prematurely, they both suffer for at least a year with health complications. Of course Dr. Flint makes it known very quickly that her child also belongs to him.
ReplyDeleteChapter 12: This chapter describes an event that happened many nights to black households, whether free or enslaved. Insurrection was when white men, most poor, raided the homes of their black neighbors and felt it was okay to take whatever they pleased. This was showing their idea of how blacks should not be living better than whites. Harriet describes a time when they enter her grandmother's and she also stresses that this is one of the only ways poor whites can show their support of slavery and no black rights. They were not rich enough to own slaves, so they had to still oppress blacks in some way.
Chapter 13: Church-going blacks did not have quite as much freedom to attend as they pleased. Occasionally, a black would be invited to a white service and Harriet describes that she was because of her literacy. Eventually, the churches just set aside separate times for both white and black members. Then there was always the controversy that the preacher was delivering better sermons to the blacks than to the whites and their was a constant struggle with church versus slavery.
Chapter 14: Dr. Flint's violence is worse than ever, especially when he finds out about her second child on the way. He claims that she has done him wrong and that she will forever suffer under his power, without ever having the option of being sold. At the end of the chapter, the doctor has gone out of town and Harriet's grandmother uses this as the time to go to the church to have the two children baptized.
Chapter 15: More threats arise from Dr. Flint and he continues to imagine the day when Harriet's children will become valuable slaves. One day when he is visiting Harriet, her grandmother sends him out for the way he treats Harriet. He just becomes angered and states clearly that her grandmother allows her to live such life as she is. When the chapter comes to a close, Dr. Flint tries to make a "kind" offer to Harriet and her children for what he promises as freedom...but with stipulations. When she turns him down, it angers him but he claims that he will allow her more time to think about her decision, but she is stubborn and will not submit to his "kind" gestures.
Review: I loved how personal it was. The actress looked straight at us and it created a bond between us and her. She played her so well and I became so absorbed in the story. It was hard for me to understand that she was actually a modern, regular woman once she was finally out of character. I also loved the simplicity. Her clothing was basically the only extra piece that she had to show her story. Just by the way she delivered the words and emotions, the audience could make up the perfect set and props in their heads. It was powerful, and an incredible performance to watch.
Chapter 6: Dr. Flint finds out that Harriet can read. Ever since that time, Harriet feels that Dr. Flint just wants to have sex with her and abuse her. Harriet just tries to ignore these attempts. Mrs. Flint becomes jealous and makes Harriet swear on the Bible that nothing is going on between her and Dr. Flint. Dr. Flint requests that she sleep in his room along with his child should the child wake up. This gives more opportunity for Dr. Flint to have sex with Harriet.
ReplyDeleteChapter 7: Harriet wants to marry a man of whom she has deep feelings toward. She believes that Dr. Flint would not want to sell her. Harriet's grandmother talks to a friend of Dr. Flint's. She hopes the friend will persuade the doctor to sell Harriet. Dr. Flint confronts Harriet about it and suggests that she marry one of his slaves. Harriet does not like that idea and ends up getting struck for her honest response. Still, Harriet keeps her hopes up on marrying her lover. Dr. Flint also has the idea of moving to Louisiana and sends his son there. The plans never go through.
Chapter 8: The slave owners tell the slaves how bad freedom actually is. After getting back from the North, many slave owners tell their slaves horrific stories about staving and dying free slaves of the North. This helps prevent rebellion amongst the slaves. Harriet knows that the slave owners are just trying to frighten them.
Chapter 9: Harriet gives examples of some cruel slave owners. A man named Mr. Litch whipped, starved, tortured, and even murdered some of his slaves. Harriet considers these people to be very uncivilized. Mr. Litch's brother lets his bloodhounds rip apart the slaves. Another man named Mr. Conant is known for whipping and letting his slaves freeze to death. Some slave owners are nice until they marry someone who treats the slaves terribly. Harriet considers that these things seem impossible among human being with immortal souls.
Chapter 10: Harriet is built a cabin by Dr. Flint. Harriet does not want to be moved there due to the fear of Mrs. Flint seeking revenge against her. Harriet tries to convince a man named Mr. Sands to buy her. Harriet becomes pregnant and cannot be moved out to the cabin. When Dr. Flint finds out, he is furious. Harriet runs away to her grandmother and is told that she is a disgrace.
Review: I was caught off guard that there was only one actress to act of all of those roles in the book. The actress played these different parts very well. The audience could easily tell when the actress was playing another character. I also liked the small amount of props used. Props can be a major distraction in certain plays. The actress was very good in acting out the various emotions within the play. Overall, I thought the play was great and really brought out the true meaning in the book.
Chapter 16: Harriet leaves her grandmother's with her youngest child, her boy, desirous to impress Mr. Flint at the plantation. She works hard for a few weeks before she takes her child back to her grandmother's. After some more time, she steals back to the town at night to see her children again. She leaves after she does that. More time passes, and she eventually gets a Sunday in town. She goes to Sabbath with her grandmother, and spends time at the cemetery where her parents are buried. She decides she wants to leave, but her grandmother discourages her. Mr Flint's wife arrives after the wedding and shows her true colors as a cruel woman by denying an elderly slave meat. Later, Harriet is approached by a man that is her grandmother's friend and is told her children will be coming to the plantation, brought by the Flints.
ReplyDeleteChapter 17: Harriet runs away, but not before saying goodbye to her children and instructing a woman that lives with her grandmother to hide her clothing in her own trunk, not Harriet's. Mr. Flint comes looking for her, but her grandmother does not know that Harriet left so he leaves after asking her. Dr. Flint puts out a bounty for Harriet.
Chapter 18: Harriet's pursuers come close to where she is hiding, so she leaves the house, and hides in the bushes. She is bitten by a reptile, presumably a snake, and she can tell it is poisonous by the effect it has. She goes back to the house after the men leave and starts recovering. Her relatives urge her to return to the plantation, but she refuses, and when she tells them of her bite, they cease. She is transferred to another friend's house and stays in the attic there. Her aunt, uncle, and children are put in jail, in an effort to coax information out of her grandmother. Dr. Flint stops at her grandmother's house after seeing a light on late at night and says he knows where Harriet is. Harriet is moved to another place in the friend's house where she stays for a while. The next day, Dr. Flint comes to the house she is staying at to borrow money from the woman hiding Harriet so he can chase Harriet to New York.
Chapter 19: Dr. Flint agrees to sell William and the children to a slave trader who then sells them to Mr. Sands, Harriet's children's father. It is set so that they are to be made to leave but then go to Mr. Sands. William and the children were taken to Harriet's grandmother's house, and her grandmother was happy, as she was convinced that they were actually being sold. Harriet has a vision out the window of her hiding place of her children singing "Home, Sweet, Home" while she did not know of their sale and return. She eventually learned because of Betty, the slave caring for her, telling her after listening in on a conversation relating to the children.
Chapter 20: Dr. Flint has uncle Philip arrested, tried, and sent to jail while put on $500 bail. Mr. Sands insists that Philip wait in jail so he can get out without posting bail. The search for Harriet is renewed and the house she is in is searched. She is not found, due to a clever hiding spot. However, one of the other slaves in the house has suspicions that she is there so Harriet decides to leave. She is housed in Snaky Swamp and stays for a few days before she leaves and is taken the the place of concealment at her grandmother's.
Review: I loved the performance. It was so well done that I was very convinced the actress was no longer there when she got into character. She performed enthusiastically, pouring forth emotion into her words and actions. The one-person play was wonderful, and I think that was how it should have been, it did not need a large performance to have justice done to the work.
Chapter 31
ReplyDeleteHarriet is traveling Philadelphia. On the way she is introduced to a reverend that befriends her and lets her stay with him and his family until the next train comes that night or the next morning. This is her first time being surrounded by a large amount of people and to be in such a large city. The reverend and Harriet search the city for a friend Harriet knows. While they search, the reverend asks her questions about her life. Harriet is completely honest. The reverend does not approve of the choices she has made in her life such as leaving her children. She promptly informs his that she does not live for his approval and God will understand her life. Later that night there is a fire and Harriet gets dressed to help put it out, but finds that no one else in the household is doing anything. The next morning, they laugh at Harriet for thinking she has to go help. After five days, Harriet left the house with a companion to accompany her to New York. However, the reverend could not purchase her first class tickets because she is colored and she releases that not everything is equal even in the North.
Chapter 32
Harriet’s arrival in New York was rough when she was conned by a coachman. Harriet and Fanny separated and Harriet proceeded to find a way to meet with her daughter. She wanted it kept a secret that she just came from the South because she was suppose to be living in the North for the past few years. As she is going to the house she will stay in, Harriet runs into a friend’s daughter, Sarah, and her own daughter, Ellen. Ellen had to return to her home and Harriet promised to send for her the next day at the Hobbs residence. Harriet is invited to the Hobbs the next day. She finds out that Ellen is not being treated will by them and can barely read. Harriet finds that the Hobbs have become poor and gave Ellen to their daughter to be a waiting maid. Harriet has a undeniable sense of betrayal and a urge to free herself from Dr. Flint.
Chapter 33
Harriet finds a job as a baby nurse for Mrs. Bruce. Mrs. Bruce treats her with care and respect and Harriet decides to tell Mrs. Bruce her story. Mrs. Bruce offers to let Ellen come and live with her but Harriet declines because she is afraid that the Hobbs would be offended and report her as a fugitive slave in the South. The Hobbs can no longer to afford to give Ellen clothes and Harriet now has to use her money for Ellen instead of freeing herself. Harriet tries to bring Ellen to New York to see an oculist because she had the measles when she was to and the Hobbs refuse. Shortly after the Hobbs give Ellen treatment. The chapter concludes with Harriet recognizing her brother on the street in front of the house she is working out. She says that they are closer than ever because of they suffered together.
Chapter 34
ReplyDeleteHarriet receives a letter from her slaveholder that she ran away from, Mr. Flint, begging her to return to her home and continue to work for his family. She was not fooled by the kind words and knew that this was just a trick to get her back and punishment would be waiting. Harriet sent for her son Benny to come to the North. Benny arrives and is able to visit Ellen but is puzzled when he finds out that she cannot read yet and he can. He is full of optimism that he will be equal to white boys and Harriet cannot bare to tell him he is mistaken. Her brother offers to take care of Benny so she can work for Mrs. Bruce. As summer comes, Harriet is filled with fear that a Southerner will recognize her when she is out walking with Mrs. Bruce’s baby, Mary.
Chapter 35
Upon traveling to Albany with the Bruces, another colored man discriminates against Harriet but she refuses to move from her seat. Mrs. Bruce supports her and gives Harriet her own cup of tea. Again and again she is asked to eat meals elsewhere and depending on the attitude of the person asking, does Harriet decide to comply or not. In New York, Harriet takes time to visit Ellen and runs into her in a grocery store. Ellen warns her that there is a Southern man at the Hobbs house and not to go there. The Bruces and Harriet take a train to Rockaway. Since she is a true colored person and not lighter in skin color, she is asked to eat in the kitchen after everyone is done. Harriet responds by eating in her room and having Mr. Hobbs have food served to her. This upsets the train staff because they are now forced to serve her. Harriet believes that if every colored person refused to be stepped on by whites than they will eventually become equal.
Review
I loved the performance. I think that it was so powerful as a one person show. It was amazing how she changed characters just by changing her outfit or her tone of voice and posture. I felt as if the actress was actually Harriet. She looked so intensely at the audience that she connected with us. I think that this is what helped get the Harriet Jacob's story across.
Chapter 26
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 26, Harriet’s bother William escapes while up north with his master. Her whole family waits for word from him. On a Sunday, Harriet’s grandmother brings her children out so Harriet can see them. While outside, her grandmother weeps for her lost grandchild until a friend reminds her to rejoice that some of her family is free of slavery. Harriet worries about the effect this will have on her children, and then berates herself for not being happy for her brother. They finally received a letter from William relating his side of the story. His letter reassures the family of his well being and happiness.
Chapter 27
Harriet’s son runs out into the road and meets Mr. Sands, Benny’s father, and his wife at the beginning of chapter 27. This results in Mr. Sands coming to offer a future for his children. Benjamin is to go to his house and Ella is to go to Illinois with a relative of his. As much as Harriet grieves to see her children go, she knows that their future will be better elsewhere. She begs the family to be able to spend one night with Ella before she leaves. Harriet spends the night with her daughter, but swears her to secrecy about her mother’s presence. After Ella leaves Harriet spends several months worrying that her daughter has not arrived, but her fears are relieved by a letter from Ella's new mistress.
Chapter 28
ReplyDeleteChapter 28 is about Harriet’s Aunt Nancy. It describes how hard her life has been. She was forced to sleep outside her mistress’s door, in the event that the mistress needed something in the night. This caused her to miss-carry six children and the two that she did carry full term died within the first couple weeks. She was the one who always encouraged Harriet to rebel and gain her own freedom. Her mother, Harriet’s grandmother, receives news that Nancy is on her death bed. At her death her mistress becomes very attached and asked to have her buried in the family plot. The doctor suggests that she ask the family of the deceased what they would like to do, they choose to have her buried in the family plot. Her son asks to pay for her funeral, using the funds he had earned, just like she had earned funds to buy his freedom. The funeral is very simple, although elaborate for that of the slave. Harriet’s grandmother seems bowed by the grief and toil in her life.
Chapter 29
Chapter 29 begins with Harriet describing the discomfort of her hiding place, and how she longs to go north to her family. She learns one of her friends is hiding in her mother’s house, who happens to be neighbors with Harriet’s grandmother. Harriet longs to share her hiding place with her friend. Harriet’s friend Peter reveals that he has a way for her to get to the free states, and after conferring with her uncle, who promises to have Benjamin sent to her as soon as possible, she agrees to go. She revokes her place when her grandmother learns of a murder of a run away, and begs her not to go. She sends Fanny instead. In her worry about Fanny, Harriet’s grandmother forgets to lock the door behind her and Jenny sees Harriet. They ten plan to send Harriet away as Jenny will inform Dr. Flint. Peter bargains with the captain to send Harriet as well as Fanny to the free states. Harriet arranges a meeting with her son and discovers that he has suspected that she was hiding in the house. She leaves with Peter to the wharf.
Chapter 30
Chapter 30 begins with Harriet traveling to the wharf with Peter. She meets her Uncle Phillip and Benjamin to say goodbye. She boards the boat and is reunited with Fanny. She worries all though the trip that the Captain will betray them and they will end up in slavery again. The captain invites them up to the deck to get fresh air. Near the end of her journey, Harriet is pleased to realize that the captain was a good man and treated them well. Harriet and Fanny watch the sun rise on the city sitting on free soil. They are overjoyed to be free, but miss those left behind in slavery.
Review
The ability with which she showed the emotions of Harriet really brought the audience back in time. I was also impressed at how well she sang acapella with out a beginning pitch. She was also very talented in changing her voice and bearing to portray different characters. I thoroughly enjoyed her performance, as sad of a story as it was, it gave a voice to slavery that I had never heard before. It was an eye opening experience to say the least.
Chapter 36
ReplyDeleteLinda visits her daughter Ellen and finds out that Mrs. Hobbes's brother, Mr. Thorne, wrote a letter to Dr. Flint. He informs Flint of where Linda is and offers to help him get her back, referring to her as Dr. Flint's "property." When Linda gets home she speaks to Mrs. Bruce about this and tells her that she is a fugitive slave. Mrs. Bruce contacts her attorney and they arrange for Linda to be taken to Boston. In Boston, Ellen reunites with her brother (Linda's son), Ben. Linda decides to stay in Boston, rooming with a friend. She spends the winter helping Ellen learn to read and write so that she can return to school prepared.
Chapter 37
Mrs. Bruce has passed away much to Linda's dismay. Mr. Bruce asks Linda to accompany him to England as a nurse. Linda accepts the offer and they set off to England. Once in London, Linda experiences what it is like to really be respected. She feels truly free for the first time. Linda compares the poverty of London to America's poverty. Because Linda is a house guest of a clergyman, she learns about Christianity and learns what love and grace really are. She stays in London for 10 months.
Chapter 38
Linda finally returns home to Boston from London and finds out that Ben has left on a voyage to escape the abuse of his accomplices since he is a colored man. Linda regrets leaving her children for so long and must remind herself that is was for the best. She gets a letter from Mrs. Dodge (Dr. Flint's daughter) that invites Linda to live with her and her husband in Norfolk, VA. Linda feels as though Dr. Flint is still keeping track of her, but she believes that as long as she remains in Boston, she will be okay and away from harm.
Chapter 39
Linda has now lived in Boston for two years. Her brother, William, offers to send Ellen to boarding school. Linda is reluctant because she does not want to be away from her daughter for so long, but she feels it would be best and agrees. Before Ellen leaves, Linda tells her about her dad, Mr. Sands. Ellen has known all along about her white father and explains that it has always hurt her that he favored his white children over her. Once Ellen has gone, Linda accepts an offer to become a seamstress for a family living nearby. Upon returning home, Linda finds a letter from William asking for her help in establishing an anti-slavery reading room in Rochester. She agrees, however, the project doesn't get much support and fails. Linda then spends a year with Isaac and Amy Post, two well-known antislavery activists whose home was a piece of the underground railroad.
Chapter 40
ReplyDeleteWilliam moves to California after his business failure and takes Ben with him. Ellen's teachers learn she is the daughter of a fugitive slave and so they make it their job to protect her. Now alone and unemployed again, Linda goes to New York and visits Mr. Bruce, who has been remarried. He asks Linda to be the nurse for his newborn child. The Fugitive Slave Law has just been passed, meaning Linda could be facing grave danger. She accepts, however, and finds that the new Mrs. Bruce is very kind and is also American. Linda recalls the stories of two people: James Hamblin and a man named Luke. Hamblin was the first man to arrested under the new Fugitive Slave Law. Luke was enslaved by a cruel master and eventually fled to Canada with his master's money because the new law gave him the only option of leaving the country. Doctor Flint is after Linda again and Mrs. Bruce helps Linda flee to New England where she stays for a month with Mrs. Bruce's child. She sends her only child with Linda so that if Linda gets caught, the child will be sent home and Mrs. Bruce will know of Linda's locations.
Review
The one-woman performance of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl was very well done. It is easy to see that an incredible amount of time and effort have been put forth. I was captivated by the precision used by Cherita. She provided clear distinctions between each character through voice and mannerism. AND she memorized, what, nearly a whole book? The performance delivered to the audience a strong idea of what life was really like during the times of slavery.
Chapter 26
ReplyDeleteLinda has been writing to her brother who is in the North with Mr. Sands. After a period of time she stops receiving letters from him and she eventually finds out that he has escaped. This worries Linda for the safety of her children. She is afraid Mr. Sands might sell them to try and make up for what he lost with her brother.
Chapter 27
Plans are made to send Linda's daughter Ellen to live with some of Mr. Sands relatives. Benny will stay with Mr. Sands and his wife. Before Ellen leaves Linda shows herself to her daughter and spends time with her.
Chapter 28
Aunt Nancy has played a major role in Linda's life. Linda is very fond of her and is sad of her passing. She feels as if she was worked to death. Linda's grandmother takes to loss of Aunt Nancy the worst and so Linda feels like it is time to leave. She begins to plan her escape.
Chapter 29
The night of the escape Linda becomes scared and so she sends her friend Fanny to take her place on the vessel. This causes problems when she eventually does leave to go to the north. Before Linda leaves she introduces herself to her son and he says he knew her hiding place all along.
Chapter 30
Linda gets everything taken care of with the vessel and begins making her way to freedom. The captain is nice to her, but she doesn't trust them. She misses her family and is worried the entire trip. When the are reaching the end of their voyage she rejoices in a sunrise over free soil.