10/08/08-The Jealous Mistress

10/08/08
Aim: How does absolute power corrupts absolutely?

Do Now: Start writing a sentence with I have witness absolute power...
I have witness absolute power in a book "1984" by George Orwell. It was about how Big Brother made sure that everyone was following what they where told, there were Thought Police around and they know what your thinking every second. This book was basically about how Big Brother is a dictator.

Comprehension Check:
1. Why is Mrs. Flint Jealous and who is she jealous of?
Mrs. Flint was jealous of her husband because he was paying more attention to the slaves, especially Linda Brent.

2. Why does Harriet chooses death and hard work than to live with an "unprincipled master and jealous mistress" (29)?
Harriet chooses death and hard than to live with an "unprincipled master and jealous mistress" because she all ways has to been on her guard to protect herself from them.

3. Why was Mr. Flint slipping notes to Harriet?
Mr. Flint learned that Harriet can write so he thought he can conceal his true motive by slipping notes to her.

4.How old is Harriet in this chapter? (31)
Harriet is 16 years old.

5.How does Mrs. Flint mask herself to fool Linda? What does she do?
Mrs. Flint masked herself to fool Linda by started to cry when she heard what her husband does to Linda, knowing that Linda is innocent and virtuous started feel sympathize her mistress. In return Mrs. Flint promise Linda to protect her from her husband.

6. What number wife is Mrs. Flint?
Mrs. Flint is the second wife.

7. Is Mrs. Flint younger or older than her husband?
Mrs. Flint is younger than her husband, she is his "junior". (35)

8.How many children has he fathered? (34)
He has fathered eleven slaves.

Interpretive:
1. Why do you think Mr. Flint wouldn't allow anyone to punish Harriet?
I think that Mr. Flint wouldn't allow anyone to punish Harriet because he wants to show her that he would protect and trying to ease her up against him.

2. Is he in love or completely obsess with her?
He is completely obsess about her because I think he likes to have the feeling that he has the power and upper hand in the situation.

3. Why do you think Harriet was chosen to sleep with Flint's daughter?
Harriet was chosen to sleep with Flint's daughter because he thought by doing this no will question him about why she was his room at night and he could get closer to her without his wife noticing anything.

4. Why does Mrs. Flint make Harriet swear on a Bible?
Mrs. Flint makes Harriet swear on the Bible because she wants to know everything that is happening or happened with her and Dr. Flint.

Literary analysis: Why is it ironic that Mrs. Flint "pitied herself as a martyr"? (32)
It's ironic that Mrs. Flint "pitied herself as a martyr" because she had no sympathy towards Harriet and what she went threw; all she cared about is herself and how much her husband didn't care about their marriage vow.

Synthesize and Explain: "I could not blame her...slaveholder's wives feel as other women would under similar circumstances..." (32)
In this quote Harriet was saying that she wasn't mad at Mrs. Flint because she has the right be mad at her, it's a normal feeling when you know that your husband is betraying you behind her back.

Critical Thinking: Explain "have I ever treated like a Negro" (34)
Dr. Flint was trying to say that did I ever treated you badly, I treated you like my own.

What promises does Flint make to Linda and why?
The promises Flint make with Linda "I would cherish you. I would make a lady of you." I think Flint wanted her to realize that he would be the only there for her and she should just give up and give herself to him.

Rhetoric: Where is rhetoric evident?
"I would ten thousand times rather that my children should be the half-starved paupers of Ireland than to be the most pampered among the slaves of America" (30)
"Reader, I drew no imaginary pictures of southern homes." (36)

Cooperative Learning:
1. "The Jealous Mistress" and identity how absolute power corrupts absolutely, however, how does Harriet Jacobs takes possession of herself and not submit to the will of Mrs. Flint.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely because the superior loses to hold onto it and people starts to go against it. Harriet Jacobs takes possession of herself and not submit to the will of Mrs. Flint because she realize that Mrs. Flint isn't happy about her marriage life and she also realize that Mrs. Flint blames Harriet for her and Dr. Flint horrible marriage.

2. Identify: The varying forms of abuse Harriet endures and cite your sources.
Physically:
"...a razor was often held to my throat to force me to change this line of policy." (32)
Psychologically:
" "Did I not take you into the house and make you the companion of my own children?" he would say."Have I ever treated you like a Negro? I have never allowed you to be punished, not even to please your mistress." (36)

3. What are the conflicts/ problem facing the white slave mistress?
Some conflicts the white slave mistress face is when their husband dismiss their wedding vows (man vs man) and also when the white mistress has to show that their pride isn't hurt no matter what the circumstance are (man vs self)

4. How is hypocrisy evident in this chapter?
The hypocrisy is evident in this chapter because Mr and Mrs Flint has no moral value.