Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl · Character

Ellen

Linda's young daughter, whose innocence and vulnerability sharpen her mother's desperate resolve to secure freedom before slavery can claim another generation.

supporting

Also known as baby Ellen, Poor little Ellen

First appearance: xi the new tie to life

As a supporting figure in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Ellen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Linda's daughter, who grows up during her mother's concealment; Linda watches her from the garret and longs to be with her.

In the storySeven Years ConcealedOpen this moment free

Ellen is Linda's daughter, a child whose presence transforms her mother's fear into ferocity. When Linda imagines what Ellen might suffer at the same age she herself endured slavery's worst, her heart becomes like a tiger's defending its young. Ellen's visits and her childish questions about her uncle's whereabouts anchor the narrative's emotional stakes, reminding readers that every legal maneuver and midnight escape is undertaken for a girl who deserves a life unshadowed by bondage.

See Ellen in Seven Years Concealed Book page

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Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Ellen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Family
Professional
Other

Character groups

Linda's Support Network
Enslavers and Northern Helpers

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this climactic moment, the emotional peak occurs when Linda finally musters the courage to confess her "gre…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Mrs. Flint
psychological · negative
Ellen is a child victim of Mrs. How this plays out →
Grandmother
family · positive
Benjamin
family · positive
Mr. Thorne
professional · negative
Grandmother
family · positive
Mr. Thorne
professional · negative
Benjamin
family · positive
Mrs. Flint
psychological · negative
Ellen is a child victim of Mrs. How this plays out →
Benjamin
family · positive
Mrs. Flint
psychological · negative
Ellen is a child victim of Mrs. How this plays out →
Mr. Thorne
professional · negative

Mrs. Flint
Ellen is a child victim of Mrs. Flint's cruel and capricious treatment as her enslaved maid.
Grandmother
Ellen is Grandmother's granddaughter, and Grandmother cares for her deeply despite the dangers of slavery.
Benjamin
Benjamin is Ellen's uncle, and he feels a protective, brotherly affection for her.
Mr. Thorne
Mr. Thorne is Ellen's enslaver after she is sold away, a relationship of ownership and hardship.
Grandmother
Ellen is Grandmother's granddaughter, and Grandmother cares for her deeply despite the dangers of slavery.
Mr. Thorne
Mr. Thorne is Ellen's enslaver after she is sold away, a relationship of ownership and hardship.
Benjamin
Benjamin is Ellen's uncle, and he feels a protective, brotherly affection for her.
Mrs. Flint
Ellen is a child victim of Mrs. Flint's cruel and capricious treatment as her enslaved maid.
Benjamin
Benjamin is Ellen's uncle, and he feels a protective, brotherly affection for her.
Mrs. Flint
Ellen is a child victim of Mrs. Flint's cruel and capricious treatment as her enslaved maid.
Mr. Thorne
Mr. Thorne is Ellen's enslaver after she is sold away, a relationship of ownership and hardship.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Ellen in xi the new tie to life

In the story

Ellen appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Seven Years Concealed
Linda's daughter, who grows up during her mother's concealment; Linda watches her from the garret and longs to be with her.
XV: Continued Persecutions
Ellen, the younger child, hides her face on Linda's shoulder in fear of Dr. Flint.
Scenes at the Plantation
Ellen is brought to the plantation, neglected, and cries herself sick. Linda sends her back to her grandmother after she falls ill.
XVII: The Flight
Ellen is Linda's baby daughter; Linda bids her a tearful farewell before fleeing.
XIX: The Children Sold
Ellen is sold to the slave trader along with Benny and William, but is soon returned to her grandmother's home after Mr. Sands purchases her.
XXI: The Loophole of Retreat
Shrinks away from Dr. Flint when he tries to bribe her for information about Linda.
Christmas Festivities
Also receives a Christmas stocking and new clothes, unaware that her mother made them.
Competition in Cunning
Briefly appears when Dr. Flint stumbles over her on the piazza; she expresses a desire to see her mother.
Important Era in My Brother’s Life
Linda's daughter; says she would like to live with mother but doesn't remember her appearance.
New Destination for the Children
Sent to Brooklyn as a waiting maid; expresses confusion and longing for her mother during their secret meeting.
The Meeting of Mother and Daughter
Linda's daughter, who has been living with Mrs. Hobbs for two years, is neglected in her education and asks to live with her mother.
A Home Found
Ellen is living with the Hobbs family; Linda worries about her care and the possibility of her being sold.
Prejudice Against Color
Linda visits Ellen in Brooklyn and receives a warning about Mr. Thorne.
The Hairbreadth Escape
Linda's daughter; living with the Hobbs family, she discovers Mr. Thorne's letter and warns her mother.
A Visit to England
Left behind in the house with Linda's friend to attend school.
XXXVIII: Renewed Invitations to Go South
Found well and improving at her school in Boston.
The Confession
Shows maturity and compassion by revealing she already knows about her father and reaffirms her love for her mother.
XL: The Fugitive Slave Law
Likes her school and is a favorite there; when it is discovered her mother is a fugitive slave, efforts are made to help her.
Free at Last
Visits Linda during a vacation; Linda fears for her safety.
Appendix
One of Linda's children, whose imprisonment, sale, and redemption are mentioned by Lowther.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Ellen unlock in the free preview.

See Ellen in xi the new tie to life

See Ellen in Seven Years Concealed