ion presents itself in ?The Fire Sermon? frequently as well, but does not hold as much meaning as does Jacobs?s inclusions. The most prominent of T.S. Eliot?s inclusions of biblical references is to ?the waters of Leman,?() also known as the ?rivers of Babylon,? in Psalms. The fact that the well-bred race has anything to lament about is almost unimaginable. In actuality, religion seems used by the Anglo race in this situation as a means of being social, not a means of improving life. In order to survive, Jacobs explains that slaves hold on to their faith in God and a heaven in which they can be free, surrounding their life around this belief. Eliot?s religious embodiments are sparse and weak in so far as religion during this time was viewed as a matter of convenience; a forefront to what people should be, but never strive to achieve.Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs and T.S. Eliot?s ?The Fire Sermon? are two completely differentiated stories from different times, experiences, and varied merit. The two texts can relate to one another within their respective contexts if contested that they both have literary value within the context being debated. As far as historical context is concerned, Harriet Jacobs?s narrative demands that the normal standards for literature be reconsidered to include African American slave narratives. Many literature journals and criticisms, such as the acclaimed Norton anthologies, describe Eliot?s work as being a groundbreaking way of writing a poem to tell a story rather than rhyme some words. Some will argue that the varying differences between Incidents and ?The Fire Sermon? are inconsequential, but on closer inspection, benefits occur in understanding the similarities and differences. The mere fact that there is a professor that references to Jacobs?s novel on a syllabus using Eliot?s acclaimed work forces a realization that the two should be on equal playing fields. As far as...
