How Do The Narrative Strategies Employed By Enslaved Women Writers Such As Harriet Jacobs In Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl And Mary Prince In The History Of Mary Prince Subvert Or Reinforce The Dominant Abolitionist Discourses Of Their Time, Particularly In Regards To The Representation Of Enslaved Women's Experiences And Agency In The Antebellum Era?

Narrative Strategies of Enslaved Women Writers: Subversion and Reinforcement of Abolitionist Discourses

Introduction: During the antebellum era, enslaved women writers like Harriet Jacobs and Mary Prince employed narrative strategies in their works, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" and "The History of Mary Prince," respectively, to influence abolitionist discourses. These narratives both supported and challenged the dominant abolitionist arguments, offering unique perspectives on the experiences of enslaved women.

Reinforcement of Abolitionist Discourses: Both Jacobs and Prince detailed the brutality of slavery, aligning with abolitionist goals by exposing its moral depravity. Jacobs' chronological narrative chronicled her journey from innocence to awareness, while Prince's fragmented account highlighted the harsh conditions across different locales. Their use of emotional appeal, a common abolitionist tactic, evoked sympathy and moral outrage, reinforcing the movement's arguments.

Subversion Through Agency and Gendered Experiences: Jacobs and Prince subverted abolitionist discourses by emphasizing their agency. Jacobs detailed her resistance to sexual exploitation and her decision to escape, challenging the passive victim narrative. Prince highlighted her active resistance and legal efforts to gain freedom, showcasing enslaved women's resilience. Both addressed the dual oppression of racism and sexism, expanding beyond typical abolitionist narratives that often overlooked gendered experiences.

Narrative Structure and Authenticity: Jacobs and Prince navigated editorial influences while maintaining their voices. Jacobs' critique of societal structures, such as the complicity of slaveholders' wives, added nuanced social commentary. Their narratives included authenticators, lending credibility while ensuring their voices were heard, thus subverting the need for external validation.

Conclusion: Jacobs and Prince reinforced abolitionist arguments by detailing slavery's horrors but also subverted dominant narratives by emphasizing agency, gendered experiences, and active resistance. Their works humanized enslaved people, broadening the understanding of resistance and contributing to the abolitionist movement with authentic, personal accounts. Their narratives remain significant, offering complex perspectives that enriched and challenged the abolitionist discourse.