# The Escape explained — Clotel

> Chapter companion for Clotel by William Wells Brown.

## What happens

Mary, Clotel's daughter, serves in her father Horatio Green's house. George, a white-skinned slave and son of a statesman, is sentenced to death for joining a slave revolt. Mary helps him escape by swapping clothes in his cell. George flees to Canada, where he finds freedom and education.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and Resistance

George joins a slave revolt and later escapes with Mary's help, demonstrating active resistance against slavery.

### Color Prejudice and Caste

George's white appearance makes his enslavement more intolerable and leads to harsher treatment to enforce his slave identity.

## Character check-ins

### Clotel

Arrested while trying to rescue Mary; dies before Mary learns of her presence.

### Mary

Clotel's daughter, servant in her father's house; helps George escape by exchanging clothes.

### Horatio Green

Mary's father; absent during Clotel's arrest, loses feeling for his child.

### Mr. Green

George, white-skinned slave of Horatio Green; sentenced to death for rebellion, escapes with Mary's help.

### Gertrude

Mrs. Green; initially severe, later becomes Mary's friend.

## Key lines

> No refuge is found on our unhallowed ground, For the wretched in Slavery's manacles bound; While our star-spangled banner in vain boasts to wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

There is no safe place in America for enslaved people, despite the nation's claim to be the land of the free.

_Opening poem contrasts American ideals with the reality of slavery._

> George was as white as most white persons. No one would suppose that any African blood coursed through his veins.

George's skin was so light that he appeared to be fully white, with no visible African ancestry.

_Highlights the arbitrary nature of racial classification under slavery._

> Mary again importuned George to avail himself of her assistance to escape from an ignominious death. After assuring him that she, not being the person condemned, would not receive any injury, he at last consented, and they began to exchange apparel.

Mary convinced George to swap clothes with her so he could escape execution, promising she would not be harmed.

_Key moment of self-sacrifice and cleverness in the escape plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clotel_se/chapters/xxvi-the-escape
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clotel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clotel_se/chapters