PDF Signifying in Incidents in The Life of A Slave Girl

SIGNIFYING IN INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL: HARRIET JACOBS' USE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ENGLISH

Diana Dial Reynolds

Submitted to the faculty of the University Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of English, Indiana University May 2010

Accepted by the Faculty of Indiana University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts.

Master's Thesis Committee

____________________________________ Susan C. Shepherd, PhD, Chair

____________________________________ Frederick J. DiCamilla, PhD

____________________________________ Stephen L. Fox, PhD

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Dedicated to: Doug, Natalie, Adam, Joseph, Nathan,

Stephen, Kayla, and Shane and my beloved Gideon

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The process of writing my thesis has been a long and difficult one. And just when I was beginning to near the end of that process, tragedy struck our family. But my professors and friends and family became strong pillars of support as I trudged through these last dark weeks and finished this long-delayed project. Through it all my committee chair, Professor Susan Shepherd, believed in me and in my project. She encouraged, supported, pushed, and cheered me on to completion. I will forever be in her debt for persuading me to keep going during a time when I really wanted to give up. Professor DiCamilla provided insights and keen observations that improved my final product, as well as supported me when I took my thesis in a new direction. Professor Stephen Fox was my first English professor at IUPUI. He has encouraged me and assisted me in many ways since those early days more than ten years ago. He was there when I started my student career at IUPUI and it has been a privilege to have him be a part of my final student endeavor. Many other professors have helped and guided me on the path to my Master's degree. I must especially thank Professor Jonathan Eller, who has counseled me and been at my side throughout. My love of textual studies comes directly from his influence. And Professor Jane Schultz has been a mentor without equal. Much of my passion for historical literature comes from her classes. Friends and family have been the backbone of the progress I've made to this point. From coursework to finished thesis, these dear ones have been at my side: Johanna Resler, who was always there to lend an ear and insist that I could "do this"; Joe Kaposta,

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who listened to every piece of news--good and bad; my mom, Mara Dial, whose confidence in me never wavers; my sisters, Lynn Wade and Kathy Stroud, and my brother Joe Dial, who have been much-needed anchors in these final weeks.

Finally, and most profoundly, I must thank my dear husband, Doug, and our children Natalie, Adam, Joseph, Nathan and his bride Melissa, Stephen, Kayla and her husband John, Shane, and our precious grandson, Gideon. Our family has survived so much pain and grief, yet we not only endure, we flourish. My husband and children are treasured gifts in my life and not only a reason to pursue goals such as a Master's degree, but a reason to live--with joy.

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