From: Kristy Ortenzi
Date: 4/12/00
Time: 9:39:42 PM
Remote Name: 152.163.213.176
Kristy Ortenzi Week 12 Primary Source Assignment
These two accounts of slavery differ in many ways. The most dominate ways that they differ are that Harriet Jacobs, is a black woman, who was a slave herself. And Mary Norcott was a white woman who owned slaves herself. Harriet was favored by her master. He would not punish her and would not let others punish her. She would receive special treatment from the master, however, this did not help her situation with the mistress. Her mistress sat her down one day and made her tell everything that has ever happened between her and the master. This left a very uncomfortable feeling for Harriet to watch her mistress weep over her failed marriage. Since she was a favorite, she was not beat like the other slaves. This is definitely a positive aspect but it is also a difficult situation to be placed in when she knew that her fellow slaves were being hurt. Mary Norcott has a complete opposite view of slavery. She was a wealthy woman who owned slaves and recalls the days when the black and white children played to together like one big happy family. She did not describe slavery as a negative situation instead she glorified it. Mary also remembers the slaves being friendly and well behaved. The reader gets the impression that the masters and the servants got along very well and the treatment of the slaves was not harsh in anyway. This differs from Harriets account greatly. The similarities between these two woman are for the most part obvious. They are both women who lived their lives in the south where slavery was taken place. And they were both involved immensely in slavery; one was a slave herself while the other owned them. Also, both Mary and Harriett recall taking care of the babies and little kids. Mary helped with the slaves children and Mary helped take care of the white kids.