# Clotel explained — Clotel

> Chapter companion for Clotel by William Wells Brown.

## What happens

The chapter introduces Clotel, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson and a slave woman, and follows her tragic story of love, betrayal, and eventual death. Clotel is sold into slavery, begins a relationship with Horatio Green, is later sold again, escapes in disguise, returns to Richmond to find her daughter Mary, is arrested as a fugitive, and ultimately leaps from the Long Bridge to her death rather than be recaptured.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy of American Democracy

The chapter exposes the contradiction between American ideals of liberty and the institution of slavery, particularly through Clotel's lineage as the daughter of a Founding Father.

### Tragedy of the Tragic Mulatta

Clotel's story embodies the tragic mulatta trope, as her mixed-race heritage and beauty lead to both desire and suffering, culminating in her suicide.

## Character check-ins

### Clotel

The protagonist, a beautiful and educated slave woman, daughter of Thomas Jefferson, who experiences love, betrayal, and a tragic end.

### Horatio Green

A young white man who begins a relationship with Clotel and later marries Gertrude, betraying Clotel.

### Currer

Clotel's mother, who is sold at auction along with Clotel and Althesa.

### Althesa

Clotel's sister, who is also sold and later purchased by Henry Morton.

### Mr. Green

George Green, Clotel's brother, who is sentenced to death for rebellion but escapes with Mary's help and reunites with her in Canada.

## Key lines

> Clotel was a beautiful and accomplished woman, but her skin was dark, and she was a slave.

Clotel was talented and attractive, but because of her African ancestry, she was enslaved.

_Highlights the theme of color prejudice and the arbitrary nature of slavery based on race._

> With a heavy heart, Clotel leaped from the Long Bridge into the Potomac River, preferring death to a life of slavery.

Clotel chose to die by jumping off the Long Bridge rather than be forced back into enslavement.

_Climactic moment illustrating her ultimate act of resistance and the tragedy of her situation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clotel_se/chapters/clotel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clotel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clotel_se/chapters