Character Analysis: The Great Women

1395 Words6 Pages
WGS 565 White 2009 The Great Women In essence, a 15 year old girl is being abused not only mentally but physically. He corrupted the, “pure principles [her] grandmother had instilled,” with his sexual abuse (Jacobs, 43). As a woman she had no power to fight back physically, nor did she legally have the right to. Dr. Flint said to her that she “was made for his use, made to obey his command in everything; that [she] was nothing but a slave, whose will must and should surrender to his (Jacobs, 47).” At this point she began to feel physically and emotionally weak as a woman: “never before had [her] puny arm felt half so strong (Jacobs, 76).”She was considered a piece of property and nothing more. Dr. Flint never feels a moment of self doubt or sympathy for Harriet because of the slave system. He never questions his actions as he believes he may do as he wishes with his merchandise, his slaves. What can such a young woman do in this position? The only thing she can do is hope, which is exactly whatHarriet did. She convinced herself to still rebel. She understandsthat Flint may own her body, but she cannot let him own her head.…show more content…
Jacobs was a slave feminist that endured and actually went through hardship, while Terrell and Stewart did not. Harriet actually experienced the struggles which are why their methods of communicating with people were different. These woman acknowledged that black woman went through specific hardships that white woman did not, such as involuntary breeding and family separation. Another difference between these woman was that Stewart was the activist that started to encourage woman to stand up for their rights, while Terrell encouraged and acknowledged later on. Every action these women took were unique in their own ways and helped

More about Character Analysis: The Great Women

Open Document