# Preparations for Escape 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

Linda Brent, after nearly seven years in hiding, plans her escape to the Free States with the help of her friend Peter. She struggles with leaving her son Benny behind, but her uncle Phillip promises to send him later. Her grandmother is initially fearful but eventually supports the plan. Linda also helps her friend Fanny escape on the same vessel, while dealing with the constant threat of discovery and the emotional toll of her long confinement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Resistance and Escape

Linda's meticulous planning and eventual escape, along with Fanny's, exemplify active resistance against slavery despite immense risk.

### Motherhood and Family Separation

Linda's anguish over leaving Benny and her yearning to be reunited with her children underscore the brutal impact of slavery on family bonds.

### Dehumanization and Identity

Linda's seven-year confinement in a tiny garret, deprived of light and air, illustrates the physical and psychological dehumanization of enslaved people.

## Character check-ins

### Linda Brent

Linda plans her escape after seven years in hiding, grappling with the decision to leave her son and the physical and emotional toll of her imprisonment.

### Grandmother

Linda's grandmother is initially terrified of the escape plan due to fears of capture and violence, but eventually supports it after persuasion from Uncle Phillip.

### Peter

Peter arranges Linda's escape on a vessel and helps facilitate Fanny's escape as well, running great personal risk.

### Benny

Linda's son Benny is left behind but is promised to be sent north by Uncle Phillip once Linda reaches safety.

### Fanny

Fanny is a friend of Linda's who escapes on the same vessel, having been sold away from her children and hidden by her mother Aggie.

### Phil

Uncle Phillip supports Linda's escape plan and promises to bring Benny north, also helping to persuade Grandmother.

## Key lines

> I lived in that little dismal hole, almost deprived of light and air, and with no space to move my limbs, for nearly seven years.

Linda spent almost seven years confined in a tiny, dark, and airless space with barely room to move.

_Highlights the extreme physical hardship of her long concealment._

> Your day has come, Linda. I have found a chance for you to go to the Free States.

Peter tells Linda that he has arranged an opportunity for her to escape to the North.

_Marks the turning point where escape becomes possible._

> She said she would sacrifice her house, and all she had in the world, for the sake of having me safe with my children in any part of the world.

Linda's grandmother offers to give up everything she owns to buy Linda's freedom and ensure her safety with her children.

_Demonstrates Grandmother's deep love and willingness to sacrifice for family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/incidents_in_the_life_of_a_slave_girl_se/chapters/xxix-preparations-for-escape
- 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