Clotel · Chapter
Death of the Parson explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Peck dies suddenly of cholera, leaving Georgiana an orphan. Carlton remains to comfort her, and they overhear the enslaved people singing a jubilant song about the parson's death, revealing their hidden feelings. Georgiana defends their expressions as a lesson in the injustice of slavery.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy of American Democracy
Carlton and Georgiana discuss how even 'kind' slavery is unjust, highlighting the gap between American ideals and the reality of bondage.
Dehumanization and Commodification
Georgiana describes how slavery crushes the slave as a rational being, yet the innate desire for freedom persists.
Heroism and Resistance
The enslaved people's song openly celebrates the death of their oppressor, a form of covert resistance and expression of defiance.
Characters to notice
- Georgiana Carlton
Grieves her father's death but recognizes the enslaved people's lack of grief as a sign of slavery's wrongs; defends their impromptu song as a lesson.
- Mr. Carlton
Remains with Georgiana after Peck's death; initially shocked by Sam's deceptive behavior but comes to understand the systemic deception of slavery.
- Sam
Leads the enslaved people in a celebratory song about Peck's death, then resumes a solemn demeanor when serving in the house.
- Mr. Peck
Dies of cholera; his death prompts the enslaved people's hidden joy and Georgiana's reflections on slavery.
Key passages
“Old master has died, and lying in his grave, And our blood will awhile cease to flow; He will no more trample on the neck of the slave; For he's gone where the slaveholders go.”
The enslaved people sing that their master's death means an end to his brutal oppression, and they believe he has gone to a place reserved for slaveholders.
This song reveals the deep resentment and relief felt by the enslaved upon the death of a harsh master.
“You may put him under any process which, without destroying his value as a slave, will debase and crush him as a rational being; you may do this, and the idea that he was born to be free will survive it all.”
No matter how much you try to degrade a slave, the innate belief in freedom cannot be destroyed.
Georgiana articulates the unquenchable human spirit for liberty despite systemic dehumanization.