Our Nig Class Lecture Notes PDF

Preview

Summary

This is a set of class lecture notes required based on one of the required readings "Our Nig."...

Description

_ 

     

     

        

Our Nig (Notes Intro- Ch.7) _

Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black is an autobiographical novel 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 woman on the North American continent. Chapter 1: Mag Smith, My Mother Our Nig opens with the story of Mag Smith. She has been seduced and left with a child born out-of-wedlock. After the child dies, Mag moves away to a place where no one knows her. She becomes much like an outcast, avoiding all and getting almost too little work to the point she might starve. In this new town, she meets a black man named Jim who falls in love with her. Jim is African-American and Maggie is White. She resists him at first, thinking no one cared about her, but soon realizes that her efforts are futile. Chapter 2: My Father’s Death Jim and Mag marry and they have two children, a daughter Frado and a son. Jim becomes sick and dies leaving Mag to provide for their children. She marries Seth, one of Jim’s business partners, and he takes the family under his wing. Eventually, Mag and Seth realize that they cannot care for both of the children. He suggests they send her daughter Frado to live with the Bellmonts Mag refuses at first stating “Who would want these Black Devil’s” but eventually, reluctantly agrees. Frado is dropped off at the house under the pretense that Mag will be back to pick her up later in the day. Chapter 3: A New Home for Me After a few days the Bellmonts, and Frado, realize Mag never intended to return. Mr. Bellmont is portrayed as kind and humane but Mrs. Bellmont is the complete opposite. The Bellmonts have four children, two boys and two girls. The family debates whether or not to keep Frado, and if they do, where she will sleep. Frado is sent to live in a separate part of the house that she will soon outgrow. The following day, Mrs. Bellmont calls for Frado early in the morning and puts her to work in the kitchen, washing dishes, preparing food, etc. Mr. Bellmont is humble towards Frado. Jack accepts Frado since her skin is not very dark. His sister Mary resents Frado being there and wants her to go to the County Home instead. Mrs. Bellmont is not happy with Frado living with them but puts her to work doing household chores.

    

   

Frado now lives in a new room, an unfinished chamber over the kitchen. As a year passes, Frado accepts that she is part of the Bellmont family. Jack buys Frado a dog named Fido, who becomes her friend and eases her loneliness. Frado is allowed to attend school with Mary. One afternoon on their way home, Mary tries to force Frado into a stream but falls in instead. Mary runs home to tell her mother that Frado pushed her into the water. Frado receives a whipping from Mrs. Bellmont while Jack tries to defend the girl. Chapter 4: A Friend for a Nig Frado runs away; Mr. Bellmont, Jack and James search for her. They find her because of her dog, Fido. After she is found she tells James that if God made him, Aunt Abby and Mrs. Bellmont white, then she dislikes God for making her black. Chapter 5: Departures Chapter 6: Varieties Fido died, Frado is now 14.



James has moved away. On the first day of spring a letter arrives from him about his declining health.



He returns to visit the family. Mrs. Bellmont beats Frado senseless and says if she tells James, Mrs. Bellmont will “cut her tongue out”. Chapter 7: Spiritual Condition of Nig



By November, James' health starts to deteriorate further.



Frado resents her life because of the color of her skin.



Mary leaves home to nurse her brother Jake. James requests that Frado stay by his bed side until further notice. Mrs. Bellmont discovers Frado reading the Bible and speaks to her husband about Frado going to the evening meetings.



James dies the following spring....