In the book "Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs, the Fugitive Slave Law is an important part of the story. This law made it very dangerous for enslaved people to run away because it said that anyone who was found, even in free states, could be captured and returned to slavery. This law really affected the characters in the book and their choices.
One literary device that Jacobs uses is imagery. Imagery means using descriptive words to create pictures in our minds. For example, when Harriet describes the fear that enslaved people felt if they were caught, she uses strong words to make us feel the tension and danger. We can almost see the scared people hiding, and we can feel their hearts racing.
This imagery helps us understand how serious and scary the Fugitive Slave Law was. It makes the plot more intense because we see the characters trying to escape and the risks they take. It also helps us connect with Harriet and feel for her. We see her bravery and the hard decisions she has to make to protect herself and her children.
The theme of freedom is also highlighted. The law shows how hard it was for enslaved people to find freedom, and it makes us hope for a better outcome for Harriet and her family. Overall, the imagery in this chapter makes the story more powerful and helps us understand the struggles of Harriet Jacobs and so many others affected by slavery.