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Essentials of Storytelling

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*Insight* 
*Sensory Connection* 
*Dialogue*
*Build-up/ Climax*

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Dr. Flint occasionally had high prices offered for me; but he always said, "She don t belong to me. She is my daughter's property and I have no right to sell her." Good, honest man! My young mistress was still a child, and I could look for no protection from her. I loved her, and she returned my affection. I once heard her father allude to her attachment to me; and his wife promptly replied that it proceeded from fear. This put unpleasant doubts into my mind. Did the child feign what she did not feel? or was her mother jealous of the mite of love she bestowed on me? I concluded it must be the latter. I said to myself, "Surely, little children are true."

One afternoon I sat at my sewing, feeling unusual depression of spirits. My mistress had been accusing me of an offence, of which I assured her I was perfectly innocent; but I saw by the contemptuous curl of her lip, that she believed I was telling a lie.
I wondered for what wise purpose God was leading me through such thorny paths, and whether still darker days were in store for me. As I sat musing thus, the door opened softly, and William came in. "Well, brother," said I, "what is the matter this time?"
"0 Linda, Ben and his master have had a dreadful time!"  said he. My first thought was that Benjamin was killed. "Don't be frightened Linda," said William; "I will tell you all about it."
It appeared that Benjamin's master had sent for him, and he did not immediately obey the summons. When he did, his master was angry, and began to whip him. He resisted. Master and slave fought, and finally the master was thrown. Benjamin had cause to tremble; for he had thrown to the ground his master--one of the richest men in town. I anxiously awaited the result.
That night I stole to my grandmother's house, and Benjamin also stole thither from his master's. My grandmother had gone to spend a day or two with an old friend living in the country.
"I have come," said Benjamin, "to tell you good by. I am going away."
 I inquired where.
"To the north," he replied. 

 

Now What???

Get in small groups and review Jacobs' excerpt from Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, paying careful attention to both the highlighted and the red text. Individually note what certain uses of dialogue or insight bring to the experience of reading and allow you to feel closer with the text, then discuss with your partners. 

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