Analysis Of Our Nig

Harriet E. Wilson is an African American woman who based her story, Our Nig, on her own personal accounts during her enslavement. Our Nig is a unique story because it gives another perspective of different forms of slavery (i.e., Northern indentured servants) and sheds light on the hardships faced by female indentured servants. However, there are many other reasons why Our Nig is distinctive, including its compelling story, its analyses that give a detailed breakdown, its interesting language of the period, and ability to produce a reaction from oneself. Our Nig begins by introducing Mag Smith, a white woman who has been seduced and abandoned by a white male. In turn, people started to treat Smith coldly. Therefore, she left her home and

For example, Our Nig presents colored people with the line “She [Frado] was often greatly wearied, and silently wept over her sad fate” (Gates et al. 482). This line indicates the sad fate that Frado would have during her time with the Bellmonts. In addition, the treatment of colored people can be shown throughout the story. For instance, when Frado first came to the Bellmonts’ house, she was sent immediately to sleep in the L chamber, which was small and filthy. Another example of maltreatment was on Frado’s first day of school. “Frado sauntered on far in the rear of Mary, who was ashamed to be seen ‘walking with a nigger.’ As soon as she appeared, with scanty clothing and bared feet, the children assembled, noisily published her approach: ‘See that nigger,’ shouted one” (Gates et al. 482). “‘I won’t play with her,’ said one little girl” (Gates et al. 482). “Mary evidently relished these sharp attacks, and saw a fair prospect of lowering Nig where, according to her views, she belonged” (Gates et al. 482). As shown, even in an educational environment, Frado is looked down upon on her first day of

One example is the following lines: “Early deprived of parental guardianship, far removed from relatives, she [Mag Smith] was left to guide her tiny boat over life’s surges alone and inexperienced. As she merged into womanhood, unprotected, uncherished, uncared for, there fell on her ear the music of love, awakening an intensity of emotion long dormant” (Gates et al. 475). “She surrendered to him a priceless gem, which he proudly garnered as a trophy, with those of other victims, and left her to her fate” (Gates et al.