Harriet Ann Jacobs

Harriet Ann Jacobs is a real person who lived from 1813-1897. Harriet was born into slavery because both her parents were born slaves. Harriet's story is told in fictional form in this novel through letters the writer imagines she might have written as a child and young woman. In these letters, Harriet talks about her life, first as the slave of a kind woman called Margaret Horniblow who was a childhood companion of her mother's. Harriet hopes that Margaret will offer her her freedom in death, but Margaret leaves Harriet's ownership to her young niece, Mary Matilda. This forces Harriet to have to live with the Norcom family headed by Dr. Norcom, a dark, sadistic man who quickly takes a sexual interest in the light skinned Harriet.

Harriet has two children with another white man, Samuel Sawyer, who she finds kinder and gentler than Dr. Norcom...