Answer the following questions before you begin reading: What do you know about the institution of slavery? When did you learn it? What expectations do you have of a slave narrative?

Why does Jacobs make reference to her skin tone? Why does she mention that her relatives "were termed mulattoes"?

In what sense was Jacobs early childhood happy? Why does she emphasize the relative happiness of her early years? What other references to childhood can you find in the Jacob's story?

How does Jacobs view her grandmother? What does her grandmother's life and home symbolize to her?

What is Jacobs attitude toward Christianity? How does she use biblical references in her narrative?

How does slavery complicate Willie's relationship with his father? Why does Jacobs include this anecdote about her narrative?

How do the slave owners use food and clothing to control their slaves?

How do the slave owners use family ties to control their slaves?

How do the slave owner's use sexuality to control their slaves?

In addition to those noted in the previous three questions, what other methods of control do the slave owners exert over their slaves?

Jacobs says of her brother William "said he did not mind the smart of the whip, but he did not like the idea of being whipped" (439). What does William mean by this statement? Why do you think that Jacobs records it?

Jacobs tells the story of her brother's attempts to escape in some detail. Why does Jacobs consider Benjamin's trials to be part of her story? What do her brother's experience symbolize to her?

Throughout the essay Jacobs addresses the audience directly. Who specifically does she acknowledge as her audience? What does she want from them?

Compare Jacobs relationship with Dr. Flint and Mr. Sands. Why does she hate one and idealize the other? What contradictions do you find in her relationship with Mr. Sands? Why might she be conflicted?

To what extent does Jacob's narrative challenge your assumptions about the institution of slavery? To what extent was your understanding confirmed? To what extent was it changed or broadened?