# XV: Continued Persecutions explained — Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

> Chapter companion for Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Linda Brent.

## What happens

Dr. Flint intensifies his harassment of Linda, threatening to sell her children and physically assaulting her and her son Benny. Linda's grandmother confronts Dr. Flint, defending Linda. Linda decides to go to the plantation to protect her children, secretly planning their escape.

## Themes in this chapter

### Motherhood and Family Separation

Linda's fierce determination to prevent her children from being sold and her willingness to sacrifice herself to protect them.

### Dehumanization and Identity

Dr. Flint's treatment of Linda and her children as property, calling them 'brats' and threatening to sell them.

### The Illusion of Kind Masters

Dr. Flint's claim of having made a 'kind offer' is exposed as a lie through his violent and abusive behavior.

## Character check-ins

### Linda Brent

Linda endures Dr. Flint's physical and verbal abuse, protects her children, and secretly plans their escape.

### Dr. Flint

Dr. Flint threatens to sell Linda's children, physically assaults her and Benny, and accuses her of plotting an intrigue.

### Benjamin

Benny, nearly five years old, tries to protect Linda and is violently thrown across the room by Dr. Flint.

### Grandmother

Grandmother courageously confronts Dr. Flint, ordering him out of her house and defending Linda.

### Ellen

Ellen, the younger child, hides her face on Linda's shoulder in fear of Dr. Flint.

### Rose

Rose, a young girl sold by Dr. Flint, visits grandmother's house and defies Dr. Flint's orders to leave.

## Key lines

> These brats will bring me a handsome sum of money one of these days.

Dr. Flint openly states his intention to profit by selling Linda's children.

_Reveals the commodification of enslaved children._

> I would rather see them killed than have them given up to his power.

Linda would prefer her children dead than enslaved by Dr. Flint.

_Shows the depth of Linda's desperation and maternal love._

> Get out of my house! ... Go home, and take care of your wife and children, and you will have enough to do, without watching my family.

Grandmother orders Dr. Flint to leave and mind his own family.

_A rare moment of direct defiance from an enslaved woman to a white master._

> I had a woman's pride, and a mother's love for my children; and I resolved that out of the darkness of this hour a brighter dawn should rise for them.

Linda's pride and love fuel her resolve to secure a better future for her children.

_Highlights Linda's agency and hope despite oppression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/incidents_in_the_life_of_a_slave_girl_se/chapters/xv-continued-persecutions
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/incidents_in_the_life_of_a_slave_girl_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/incidents_in_the_life_of_a_slave_girl_se/chapters