Audience in African American Literature

    The writer's audience in literature can be telling especially when taking in account historical context in African American literature. Writers can change their story to appeal to their desired audience and an example could be when comparing and contrasting Harriet Jacobs in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Seven Years Concealed and  Booker T. Washington in Up From Slavery. Jacobs tried to appeal to people who did not know the horrors in slavery especially in the North. She did this by describing her positive memories of slavery through the eyes of a child, but then describing her true thoughts on slavery as a victim of rape. Booker T. Washington in Up From Slavery tried to appeal to Caucasian people to try to integrate African American people into society. He did this by describing relatively tame parts of slavery. Both accounts have truth, but what parts of the story left in to appeal to their desired audience could have changed the way the narratives were presented. 

    At first in Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Seven Years Concealed., Jacobs describes a positive account of slavery. Jacob’s writes, “My mistress was so kind to me that I was always glad to do her bidding, and proud to labor for her as much as my young years would permit.” (Jacobs, 11). Jacob’s narrative shows how she felt about slavery in her childhood. She would sew freely as if she were white. The mistress paid attention allowing Jacob’s to play when tired. As kind as her old mistress was, Jacobs harbors resentment toward her despite the positive experiences. When describing Jacobs’ mistress teaching of the bible verses Mark 12.31. And Matthew 7.12., Jacob writes “I would give much to blot out from my memory that one great wrong” (Jacob’s 12). This quote shows the irony in the teachings to love a neighbor as yourself and to do what was done on you. Jacobs true feelings toward slavery are shown as she tries to reminisce with less bitterness. Jacob’s story turns dark after the mistress dies. Jacob’s is then auctioned off to a new master and mistress and becomes victim to rape. Jacobs describes the crime in third person and then mentions how she suffered through her entire life. When describing the mistress Jacobs writes , “The mistress, who ought to protect the helpless victim, has no other feelings towards her but those of jealousy and rage.”  (Jacobs, 27). This quote shows the hopelessness of any slave in Jacob’s position as not only is there suffering from the crime, but also from the mistress.

    Unlike Jacobs, Booker T. Washington describes a relatively positive account of slavery in his entire experience.  Washington describes having to live in extreme heat during the summer and cold during the winter. He mentions having to wear an uncomfortable flax shirt. Washington also mentions thrashing from an overseer or master. These descriptions could be seen as some of the tamer parts of slavery. Interestingly thrashing from the overseer or master was mentioned in a positive light when one of Washington’s young masters was begging for mercy to the overseer or master. When Washington’s masters got injured from the Civil War, Washington described slaves to beg to be by their side and protect them. This action shows how devoted the slaves described by Washington were to their masters. They would protect them no matter the circumstance even if a person were to try to take their life. When slaves got their freedom, Washington described how slaves, especially those of old age, would go have conversations with their masters implying to stay even after emancipation.

    While Jacobs and Washington both experienced slavery, how they described it in their narratives are vastly different. Jacobs first describes her early thoughts of slavery as a child, but then describes her current views of the horrors she experienced to appeal to her audience. Washington describes the tamer aspects of slavery to appeal to his audience. Jacobs' enthusiasm of slavery as a child was also similar to slaves Washington describes that begged to take care of their masters. Jacob’s account of slavery was a lot more dark, choosing to emphasize the horrific parts of slavery. Washington chose to emphasize tamer parts of slavery that fit his view of integration. What the author’s decided to emphasize gives the audience the author’s views posing the question of what could have been left out of both narrations.