Study Question

In Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Dr. Flint seems to be a character that has quite a bi-polar personality. Throughout the narrative, he is depicted as rude and abusive towards Linda and declares that this torment was for her own good. For example, prior to the house being built, Dr. Flint states, “I have wanted to make you happy, and I have been repaid with the basest ingratitude; but though you have proven yourself incapable of appreciating my kindness I will be lenient towards you” (Jacobs 926). Dr. Flint believes that to treat her with harassment and abuse is a way of being generous to her. It is clear that he finds that he is superior and is bestowing kindness unto Linda. This is also exemplified when he refuses to allow Linda to marry a free ‘black’ man due to the fact that she actually loves him and states that “I suppose you thought more of yourself; that you felt above insults if such puppies” (926). Perhaps Dr.Flint has a superiority disorder. Like Mrs. Flint, he clearly displays the fact that he feels that slaves had no right to a family of their own and were created to wait upon their masters (925). To assert his dominance over Linda for her marriage proposal is dealt with threats to not only herself but also her lover and is also met with a blow to the head (926).

Ironically, Dr. Flint attempts to reconcile with Linda numerous times, specifically after the dispute he passes a note to her which states that he regrets hitting her. Although he does contradict himself then states that it was her fault and asks her to come to Louisiana with him (927). The bi-polar attitudes is evident here where it becomes a back and forth between the torment and a merciful master. The questions beg whether he enjoys tormenting her...

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...question whether he follows the ‘Doctor’s oath’.

Linda demonstrates the horrors of living with this man. She notes how she wished she were dead or in jail than continue to serve him. She suffered through so much torment that it is ironic that Linda states “He then said, “Linda, I swear by God I will never raise my hand against you again;” but I knew that he would forget his promise” (923). By saying this demonstrates that Dr. Flint is a hypocritical man. For his own guilt he thinks reconciliation would redeem him in the eyes of God but proves that he would go against his own “principles” and act on rage. Thus to characterize him, Dr. Flint is best described as bi-polar.

Works Cited

Jacobs, Harriet. “Incidents in The Life of a Slave Girl.” The Norton Anthology: American Literature. Ed. Julia Reidhead. New York: Norton & Company Inc., 2012. 920-943. Print.