The cult of true womanhood in Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl"

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The narrative explores the complex experiences of an African American slave woman, highlighting her struggle against the oppressive institution of slavery. It delves into themes such as the harsh treatment of slaves by the white middle class and the concept of true womanhood, defined by Victorian ideals that both white women and female slaves fail to embody. The protagonist, Linda Brent, serves as a representation of these struggles, with Jacobs using pseudonyms to protect identities while providing a profound commentary on gender and race in 19th-century America.