Drawing on what were, in the 19th century, rumors that Thomas Jefferson had children with his slave Sally Hemings, the novel follows the slave Clotel and her family as they are sold to different masters. GradeSaver, 20 February 2021 Web.Clotel or, The President’s Daughter, published in 1853 by former slave William Wells Brown, is considered the first African-American novel. 'Clotel or, The President’s Daughter Essay Questions'. Previous Section Literary Elements How To Cite in MLA Format Magdalena, Maria. Will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback. You can help us out by revising, improving and updatingĪfter you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft.

Ellen commits suicide after being raped by her master and Jane dies due to wasting away. Their two spoiled daughters fail to cope with the life of slavery. While Henry loves his two daughters, Ellen and Jane, his decision to not free them from slavery takes a toll on them after Althesa and Henry pass on. Even though Henry helps her pass as white, he does not quite free her from slavery, let alone the two children that the couple have together. Henry Morton is a businessman who purchases Althesa as his slave. How does Henry Morton’s decision not to free his wife and daughters from slavery affect her daughters? In this way, the argument that Currer is ill-fated holds water, despite her being one among the many characters in the work who suffer a significantly related fate-a fate of life under slavery. Even so, Currer is unlucky in this respect, as she passes on from yellow fever, before being freed.

Peck, she strikes a profound relationship with his daughter who goes on to advocate for her freedom from slavery. When later, Currer is sold to a priest, Mr. Explain.Ĭurrer’s ill-fate begins with the death of her lover and master, Thomas Jefferson, which sees her and her two daughters being sold as slaves. This is friendship explored in concrete terms in the story.Ĭurrer is ill-fated. As the friendship grows between the too, it becomes so profound such that the priest’s daughter begins advocating for her release from slavery. Peck, as a slave, a friendship strikes between her and the priest’s daughter. Ill-fate sees the death of Currer’s lover (and master), Thomas Jefferson and her subsequent sale as a slave together with her two daughters, Clotel and Althesa. Show how the writer achieves this in the novel. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.įriendship as a theme is explored in William Wells Brown’s Clotel or, The President’s Daughter. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

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