Our Nig: or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black

This 1859 [slave] narrative/novel seems to have been written solely for the support of a free-black indentured servant of sorts who has made her way out after a youth of ill treatment leading to an adulthood of ill-health. The main character is Frado, who has encountered many misfortunes and ill health that prevent the sorts of hard labor that characterized her upbringing among the terrible Bellmonts. It describes the background to the ill treatment that she received, and, through much sentimental address to the reader, moves through her history. I'm going to teach this for the first time this term, in my African American literature class. It's short--a fast read--and relatively dull as a narrative, but the more I consider it, the more fascinated I become at the contrary directions that threads in this novel pull. <br /><br />Here are a few scattered thoughts.<br /><br />There are some standard set-piece items from the period/genre that will be fun, I think, to recognize and think through in their particularity in class: the kind/indifferent/weak white man who can't protect the protagonist from the shrew woman (c.f. Uncle Tom's Cabin), the shrew, the evil child vs. the good child, the religiously laden and unavoidable end of the most kind and pity-filled members of the family, etc. <br /><br />The theological reach of the novel is fascinating. The white character James gets religion, and wants to share it with Frado; he "felt sure there were elements in her heart which, transformed and purified by the gospel, would make her worthy the esteem and friendship of the world....might become useful in originating a self-reliance which would be of service to her in after years." Even James acknowledges that Chrisitanity is a tool of UPLIFT as much as it is one of consolation. That the literacy of the Bible is the main takeaway as much as is the "consolation" Frado is by no means a quick convert, and by no means a simple lamb, however. "It was not possible to compass all this, while she remained where she was." The evil Mrs. B.believes that church represents a reprieve from labor only, that there is no religion for black people. Even Frado wonders--she "became a believe in a future existence--one of happiness or misery" [note how tied to consolation/emotion it is!]. But "her doubt was, IS there a heaven for the black?...She had listened attentively to all the minister said, and all Aunt Abby had told her; but then it was all for white people." Repentence, the text later says, is completely incomprehensible to her--she wants to believe in order to be with the people who have shown her love. Religion, even to MR. B is about "comfort" and "the privilege of being good."<br /><br /><br />For Frado, the Bible, in the end, is her most precious possession, but it is more as an element of uplift than anything else. She is always pursuing work through sickness- "Providence favored her with a friend who, pitying her cheerless lot, kindly provided her with a valuable recipe, from which she might herself manufacture a useful article for her maintenance. Presumably this is a manufactured item--the author sold a hair product for her own maintenance--but it has its linkage to writing, certainly, as well. "This proved a more agreeable, and and easier way of sustenance." Religion is a providence that through language allows her toward uplift: "Nothing turns her from her steadfast purpose of elevating herself. Reposing on God, she has thus far journeyed securely." <br /><br />In Douglass, the narrative makes a sharp distinction between the Christianity of the Bible and the Christianity of the slave holder. It also plays with the idea of Providence (c.f. Benjamin Franklin's narrative), in ways that clearly hint toward theodicy problems. Here, both the acts leading to conversion and the actual content of Christianity are valuable for their USE--they are commodified fascinatingly.<br /><br />Economics in the book are worth the study. The book is a sort of charity drive/enterprise--buy the book for support of the author, who is trying to employ and support herself. The narrative is followed by standard white testimonials that put the novel within the system of paternalistic charity, but the narrative itself functions contrarywise, proving the author a participant in a movement toward free-enterprise and self-sufficiency through herculean, capitalist efforts. But it seems particularly interesting for thinking through the way that outside the ostensible system of slavery, the tentacles of slavery reach and money and language craft systems of oppression. The limitations of sentiment and patronizing charity ("duties to the poor and friendless") for the assuaging of such systemic needs seems clear. The sentimental demand for a feminine charity and sympathy and aid (which functions within a paternalistic system, really), is at odds with the sense of the narrator making her own way and working her own future.<br /><br />Our Nig also seems particularly useful for thinking through the use of the n-word in the antebellum south. Someone always asks me (and I think this happens every term) about the use of the n-word when we read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn--"wasn't it just a value-neutral term for black people then? How could it fair to be offended by Twain's use of the term in the book?" And I've usually forgotten whether I've read studies on it--or the titles of the studies. But then, I'll reread or re-scan Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and find that the word only appears on the lips of the worst overseers or the most morally degraded characters, at their worst, and I'll mention that in class (as I did just yesterday). This book adds to an informal cache of exemplars of word usage. In this narrative, the title draws immediate attention to the term. There is also a social use of the word between two poor black day laborers, hoopers. "Where you come from, you sly [n-word]?" and "when you come in dis shop again, let a [n=word] know it." Later in the text, only the worst characters--the evil task-mistress Mrs. B, and her favourite evil daughter Mary. Mrs. B doesn't "mind the [n-word] in the child" because it will apparently mean that she will be able to bear more work and bad treatment than other servants. Mary uses it as a term for all that disgusts her in the main character. It is a term for Mrs. B. that is related to losing temper and deliberate degradation. The school children use the term only BEFORE they are instructed by a loving teacher to remember "their duties to the poor and friendless." It seems fair to say that the term is in no-way value-neutral in the text--as the mother says to her son, defending Frado, "You would have that[ [n-word] trample on Mary, would you?" Yet, even without the full term, "Nig," becomes Frado's nickname in the family--and the narration calls her that during her school-days hijinx (minstrelsy?). Even affectionately, the word/name highlights the requirement for the child to be amusing according to her difference. She can be "Nig" because she is, to Mrs. B., and unavoidably in the social sphere, even among those who love her, a [n-word].<br /><br />Also interested in thinking through the poetic heads to the chapters, but haven't done so yet.

I am on the fence about literature developed for the sole purpose of acquiring monetary benefits. Now don’t get me wrong, I know this young lady went through a whole lot (her son took ill, her husband passed away, and she needed money ASAP) however I’m not necessarily captivated by this tale. I have my reasons:<br /><br />1. Great Imagery: The author gave a great account of a household full of abuse and sadness, as do most books capturing slavery…however, there is just one tiny problem…THIS IS NOT A BOOK ABOUT SLAVERY!!!! The “<i>authoress</i>” was never a SLAVE! At most, we can title her an orphan, but a slave or indentured servant would be incorrect titling. <br /><br />2. Coo Coo For Coco Puffs: There were no indicated reasons for Mrs. Bellmont to walk around the house like a tyrant, and everyone just let her act like a crazed animal! There is much to be said about someone who inflicts abuse just because today is Tuesday. For her to be described as a person whom only dished out physical wounds towards “one” particular person does not make sense to me at all…I think someone <i>got a little bit pen happy</i>, and <i>went in</i> with their pen (smile). If someone is abusive it tends to arise in other areas of the person’s life…this is my two cents and I’m gonna spend them wisely (yep, another smile)…<br /><br />3. WHY ALL THE GLOOM?: The book starts off on a somber note, “<i>Lonely Mag Smith! See her as she walks with downcast eyes and heavy heart.</i>” When I read those first two lines I was like <i>awww hell! Here we go!!!</i> I knew this was going to be a jacked up tale of mistreatment. Then I started thinking and before long…I was discussing the situation with myself…here is a snippet of the conversation: First Self: Why is this book so gloomy? Second Self: Because she wants to sell books. First Self: Why would sad books sell more? Second Self: Because jacked up circumstances moves units; refer to Uncle Tom’s Cabin. First Self: OH! (insert another smile) <br />CONCLUSION: Folks were buying books about how bad slaves were treated, thus this tale could have been a bit embellished to sale more copies. Or not even written by Harriet at all, but submitted by her for authenticity purposes. <br /><br />4. COME ON MOMMA: Frado’s mother castrates herself from society and lives a life of solitude until the day her rescuer comes along and offers his hand in marriage, how romantic. She marries an African American and bares two children. Quick thought, while in the care of her biological parents, Frado would have had to witness true love and remember what it was like to be loved by her biological dad. Thus, upon the very first physical blow issued from Mrs. Bellmont, I would like to think that Frado would have been looking for an oust…somewhere to go…a.k.a. <i>the black side of town</i>. You telling me there were no blacks in the whole state of New Hampshire? Come on now…And here comes another thought, the mother is persuaded to just give her children away…are you kidding me!!!! Who is worst? Mag Smith or Mrs. Bellmont? At least Mrs. Bellmont gave pour Frado something to eat, but dang, her mom just dropped her off at some strangers home, and they ended up being (in my opinion) mentally ill. I’m totally done…<br /><br />This is a quick read. You will probably finish it in one day. I found myself a little skeptical…too much bad for someone who was not a slave! I didn’t get it…I have read books where mother’s killed their children to keep them from being a slave and here we have a free girl taking every blow handed…Yes, I am perplexed.<br />

I found the first few chapters hard to read or get into. Once Frada is with the Belmonts the tone of the text changes slightly or maybe I was just more into it.<br />I like this book, surprisingly. I was a bit worried in the beginning that the novel would follow the 'tragic mulatto' trope and while there are certainly elements of tragedy, Wilson seems to agree with me that blackness is a zero sum game. Mixed race isn't really a viable category for the purposes in which 'race' is used. The entire purpose of 'race' being to separate and elevate whites, everyone else is in effect a 'nigger'. <br />Love the feminist indictment of both black patriarchy and white abolitionism. Powerful condemnation of the abolitionist movement. Abolitionists were usually supporters of racism, just not slavery.<br />Fairly powerful condemnation of Christianity as basically for white folks, which I think is still valid. I've never understood the adoption of the religion of those that enslaved your ancestors by the Diaspora.

A fascinating fusion of two literary models of the nineteenth century, the sentimental novel and the slave narrative, Our Nig, apart from its historical significance, is a deeply ironic and highly readable work, tracing the trials and tribulations of Frado, a mulatto girl abandoned by her white mother after the death of the child's black father, who grows up as an indentured servant to a white family in nineteenth-century Massachusetts.<br /><br />

I’m always fascinated by early African American fiction. 95% of the story is usually a personal narrative based on truth. <br /><br />This was not an easy read for me as it was just a painful and emotional read. Knowing that this was basically nonfiction.

yes, just yes...<br /><br />This book is the very basis of why I appreciate the narratives of enslaved and indentured Black people as well as free Black people for it’s raw and unaccommodating. Unlike other narratives of the time (looking specifically at Frederick Douglass), this novel is plainly and necessarily brutally critical of Northern whites and abolitionists, exposing their hypocrisy in wishing for enslaved people to be freed but to be kept away from them — banished to another realm. <br /><br />The introduction in this edition is FLAWLESS (!!!) and I love the genealogical research that went into crafting it as well as into crafting the complete and beautiful history of Harriet.

Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black is an autobiographical slave narrative by Harriet E. Wilson. It was published in 1859 and rediscovered in 1982 by professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.. It is considered the first novel published by an African-American on the North American continent.<br /><br />I discovered this book when I lived in New Hampshire.She was from Milford,NH.,a quaint little town with wonderful Antiques &amp; Historical sites.The Oval is the town center, with the Pillsbury Bandstand as its centerpiece and the Souhegan River as backdrop. The Oval is formed by a modified traffic rotary in which State Highways 13 and 101A intersect, with northbound 13 and eastbound 101A passing straight through and crossing each other at a right angle with a stop sign for traffic on Route 13.A BANDSTAND IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN_doesn't get any better than that in today's world &amp; lifestyle!<br /><br />A very good read,I recommend for all you History Buffs out there!

I read this for the readharder challenge this year. I'd say I felt meh, my usual feelings about fiction that feels so closely like a single person's narrative, like this one does. I think I like my historical fiction with more fiction. Let's be honest.

Biography of a mulatto woman left to work for a horrible family just before the Civil War. A true story. Reminds me that times were not good in the North for free blacks prior to the Civil War either. Eye opening in many ways. Very much shorter but equivalent to Uncle Toms Cabin in my view.

This is a terrific piece of literature and the connections made from the piece to Harriet E. Wilson's actual history are undoubtedly intriguing. However, I wasn't too interested.