# IX: Death explained — Our Nig

> Chapter companion for Our Nig by Harriet E. Wilson.

## What happens

James's health declines and he dies, leaving Frado grief-stricken. She struggles with spiritual anxiety, seeking salvation and comfort from Aunt Abby while facing Mrs. Bellmont's cruelty. Frado attends James's burial in a makeshift bonnet, enduring public scorn, and continues to suffer abuse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Racial Oppression and Prejudice

Mrs. Bellmont tells Frado that prayer is for whites, not blacks, and the public mocks Frado's funeral attire.

### Gender and Vulnerability

Frado, as a young black girl, is physically and emotionally abused by Mrs. Bellmont and denied spiritual comfort.

### Hypocrisy of Christianity

Mrs. Bellmont displays outward piety in mourning while cruelly punishing Frado; the clergyman's visit contrasts with her abuse.

## Character check-ins

### Frado

Grieves James's death, seeks spiritual solace, endures Mrs. Bellmont's abuse and public humiliation at the funeral.

### James

Dies after a long illness; comforts Frado with dying words and prays for her.

### Mrs. Bellmont

Continues harsh treatment, forbids Aunt Abby from visiting James, tortures Frado with a wedge and rawhide.

### Aunt Abby

Supports Frado spiritually, defies Mrs. Bellmont to visit James, intervenes during Frado's torture.

### Susan

Grieves as James's wife, provides Frado with a mourning dress and ensures she attends the burial.

### Mr. Bellmont

Intervenes to stop Mrs. Bellmont's torture of Frado and confronts his wife.

## Key lines

> Never mind, Frado, you shall see where our dear James is buried.

Susan reassures Frado that she can attend the burial despite the ill-fitting bonnet.

_Susan's kindness contrasts with the public's mockery of Frado's appearance._

> She did not love God; she did not serve him or know how to.

Frado feels spiritually unworthy and uncertain about her salvation after James's death.

_Highlights Frado's internal conflict and longing for religious assurance._

> Prayer was for whites, not for blacks.

Mrs. Bellmont tells Frado that prayer is only appropriate for white people.

_Illustrates racial discrimination in religious practice._

> Seizing Frado, she said she would 'cure her of talebearing,' and, placing the wedge of wood between her teeth, she beat her cruelly with the rawhide.

Mrs. Bellmont tortures Frado by forcing a wedge in her mouth and beating her for telling James about Aunt Abby's exclusion.

_Shows the extreme physical abuse Frado suffers for minor perceived offenses._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_nig_se/chapters/ix-death
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_nig_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_nig_se/chapters