The Deeper Wrong Or, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813–1897) was born into slavery in North Carolina, but escaped to the north to flee her owner's sexual advances. This autobiography was published under a pseudonym in 1861 to protect her family. She became involved with the Anti-Slavery Society, speaking at meetings in support of abolition. The book was aimed at middle-class white women, and stresses the impact of slavery on women's chastity, as slaves were frequently sexually exploited. She is highly critical of the nominal Christianity of the culture of the southern States. Much of the narrative deals with her efforts to regain her children, who had remained her master's property. Jacobs' first-hand account was an early publication of its type, and many found the abuse she suffered shocking and unbelievable. Jacobs became a role model for freed slaves, in taking control of her life, and helping others to adapt through education.

Preface by the author; Introduction by the editor; 1. Childhood; 2. The new master and mistress; 3. The slaves' New Year's Day; 4. The slave who dared to feel like a man; 5. The trials of girlhood; 6. The jealous mistress; 7. The lover; 8. What slaves are taught to think about the north; 9. Sketches of neighboring slaveholders; 10. A perilous passage in the slave girl's life; 11. The new tie to life; 12. Fear of insurrection; 13. The church and slavery; 14. Another link to life; 15. Continued persecutions; 16. Scenes at the plantation; 17. The flight; 18. Months of peril; 19. The children sold; 20. New perils; 21. The loophole of retreat; 22. Christmas festivities; 23. Still in prison; 24. The candidate for Congress; 25. Competition in cunning; 26. Important era in my brother's life; 27. New destination for the children; 28. Aunt Nancy; 29. Preparations for escape; 30. Northward bound; 31. Incidents in Philadelphia; 32. The meeting of mother and daughter; 33. A home found; 34. The old enemy again; 35. Prejudice against color; 36. The hair-breadth escape; 37. A visit to England; 38. Renewed invitation to go south; 39. The confession; 40. The fugitive slave law; 41. Free at last; Appendix.

Harriet Ann Jacobs (1813-1897) was born into slavery in North Carolina, but escaped to the north. She became involved with the Anti-Slavery Society, and her autobiography was published in 1861. Jacobs' first-hand account of the abuse suffered by slaves, especially women, caused shock and outrage.