Women in Captivity

Within the works of Mary Rowlandson's A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration, as well as Harriet Jacob's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, showcase a variety of similarities and differences. Some of the main similarities include that both of these occurrences are biographies that discuss the lives of these women in captivity, that both of these women are Christians and deal with the struggles of their morals as well as the life that surrounds them, and lastly, that these women both have strong ties to their family. Differences within these works include the time period that they are written, the age of these women during their time of captivity, and the attitudes of the women during their time of captivity.

Both works from Mary Rowlandson, as well as Harriet Jacobs are written as autobiographical pieces. Mary Rowlandson's journey is exhibited within her personal journals during her eleven week captivity with the Wampanoag Indians, starting with the attack to her own home in Lancaster, Massachusetts. (Direct Essays). Harriet Jacobs tells her tale within a first person narrative, through the eyes of her personage, Linda. The women tell of their captivity within these writings, both journal and first person narrative, sharing the highs and lows of the daily struggles these women were exposed to during their individual plights. "I have seen the extreme vanity of this world: One hour I have been in health, and wealthy, wanting nothing. But the next hour in sickness and wounds, and death, having nothing but sorrow and affliction." ( Rowlandson, 266.)

Jacob's describes the early parts of her life as not realizing she was a slave and growing up with her mistress' teachings of God's word. She specifically highlights Mark 12:31 "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (The Holy Bible). Jacob's follows this scripture with Matthew 7:12 which states, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." (Rowlandson 255). Jacob's throughout her life describes the inner struggle she has within the teachings of the New Testament way of life and the attitudes of surrounding slavery that she is so ingrained within. Yet, she has a great passion for God and hope in God's love. Rowlandson also has a deep passion and faith for God that often grips her and holds her above deep depression that can easily afflict the life of a captive. "Now is my spirit revived again; through means be never so inconsiderable, yet if the lord bestow His blessing upon them, they shall refresh both soul and body." (Rowlandson 255).

Mary Rowlandson and Harriet Jacobs both have great ties to their family. In Rowlandson's case, her entire family was separated after the original onslaught of the Indians. Her daughter was harmed and dies in her arms along her eleven week journey with the Indians. She is separated from the remaining members of her family and her husband. She sees her daughter and son on several occasions, however, does not make contact with her husband until her release. She speaks regularly in her journals of her children and her pleas to God to keep them safe. Jacob's in her narrative describes the ties of her family, starting with her father, who passed when she was a young girl. Her closest family tie is to her grandmother, whom she is especially close to and who helps protect "Linda" and the negative treatment she ensues at the hand of her master. Linda longs for companionship, but is refused the opportunity to marry. She believes by having children with a free man, she might gain some sympathy from her master. However, the opposite is true and Linda is punished greatly during her post-partum. "On the fourth day after the birth of my babe, he entered my room suddenly, and commanded me to rise and bring my baby to him. -- There was no alternative." (Jacob's 1820). She is tormented by her owner Dr. Flint for the remainder of her life. Jacob's will not let the lives of her children remain in danger, and she hides to stow away to New York City, a free state, where her children can have the life she feels they deserve - One of equality.

While there are strong similarities within the works of these women, there are also several differences to their work; one being the time period of the works from these authors. Mary Rowlandon's journal was written in 1675, while Jacob's narrative was written in the late 1800's. Their lives have many parallels, despite the time difference. Rowlandson's journey lasted eleven weeks, where Jacob's plight lasted most of her childhood and early adult life. Rowlandson's journey takes place in her later years, after her family is somewhat established. From the writings of her journals we know she has an older son, probably in his early teenage years. In comparison to today's society, this would allow us to guesstimate that she is between the ages of her early thirties to possible mid-forties. While, Jacob's journey starts as a young girl throughout her release with the purchase from her friend Mrs. Bruce in the late 1850's. Jacob's was born in 1813 (Timeline. Virginia.edu). While the time frame of these women's captivity is quite different, their works capture their individual experiences from their hearts.

The attitude of these women is demonstrated quite clearly in their writings. Rowlandson, while she had bouts of melancholy on her journey, was able to clearly turn her negative thinking around with her inspiration and passion for Christ, who blessed her greatly and whom she thanks regularly. '˜Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.' Psalm 37:5 (The Holy Bible told through Rowlandson's journal, 251). Jacob's is full of attitude, which is exhibited in her hatred of her owner, Dr. Flint; as well as in her actions that continue to insult him to the public, including her pregnancies and childbirths, her hiding and running away from him to New York City. "'˜Silence!' he exclaimed, in a thundering voice. '˜By heavens, girl, you forget yourself too far! Are you mad? If you are, I will soon bring you to your senses. Do you think any other mater would bear what I have borne from you this morning? Many masters would have killed you on the spot. How would you like to be sent to fail for your insolence?' '˜I know I have been disrespectful sir, ..but you drove me to it; I couldn't help it. As for the jail, there would be more peace for me there than there is here." Jacob's makes it very clear that she has spoken out of turn, but she is unable to hold her tongue and accept her master's authority.

The similarities and differences within the works of Rowlandson and Jacob's work is critical for readers to understand. These differences provide readers with insight into the emotions and attitude of these women, as well as an understanding of their individual differences, regardless of time or their relationship with God.

Works Cited

Harriet Jacob's Timeline http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/jacobs/hj-timeline.htm. Online

Holy Bible. New International Version. Michigan. 2005. Print

Levine, Robert et all. The Northern Anthology of American Literature. New York. 2007. Print

Narrative Summary. http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/10708.html. Online

Rowlandson Essay. http://www.academon.com/Analytical-Essay-Analysis-of-the-Captivity-Narrative-by-Mary-Rowlandson/4789. Online.