Harriet Jacobs, a former slave and abolitionist, authored 'Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl' to detail her personal experiences under slavery in North Carolina. Published in 1861 under the pen name Linda Brent, Jacobs' work is noted for its authenticity, as she wrote it herself, unlike many slave narratives of the time. Initially perceived as an autobiography, it was reinterpreted as an anti-slavery novel in the 1960s. Despite its initial disappearance from public discourse, Jacobs' book is now regarded as a seminal text in the study of American slavery and women's rights.
Harriet Jacobs chose to publish her autobiography under the pen name Linda Brent, highlighting the shame she felt about her experiences as a slave.
Despite falling out of print after 1862, Jacobs' work was rediscovered during the Civil Rights Movement, eventually being recognized as a significant anti-slavery text.
Jacobs independently arranged the publication of her autobiography, which is now held in high regard, comparable to other notable slave narratives of the period.
Unlike several contemporaries who had their narratives compiled by others, Jacobs wrote her own story, which allowed for a more authentic depiction of her experience.
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