# Departures explained — Our Nig

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

## What happens

James visits and departs, leaving Frado with only memories of his kindness. Frado continues her grueling labor and mischievous antics, including a trick on a willful sheep. Jane becomes entangled in a romantic conflict between Henry Reed and George Means, ultimately breaking her engagement to Henry with her father's support and marrying George. Jack leaves for a job in the West, and Mrs. Bellmont sells Frado's beloved dog Fido, deepening Frado's isolation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Economic Exploitation

Frado is forced to do the work of a boy and is treated as a burden, while Jane's marriage prospects are tied to land and wealth.

### Family and Abandonment

Frado experiences repeated losses: James departs, Jack leaves, and her dog Fido is sold, deepening her abandonment.

### Resilience and Survival

Despite harsh treatment, Frado retains a playful spirit, as shown in her trick on the sheep and her mirthful interactions.

## Character check-ins

### Frado

Grieves James's departure, performs heavy labor, plays a dangerous trick on a sheep, and loses her dog Fido when Mrs. Bellmont sells him.

### James

Visits and then departs; his kindness is remembered by Frado; he later marries a Baltimorean lady.

### Jane

Torn between Henry Reed and George Means; breaks her engagement to Henry with her father's support and marries George, moving to Vermont.

### Mr. Bellmont

Supports Jane's choice to break her engagement and advises the young men to leave her free.

### Mrs. Bellmont

Furious at Jane's rejection of Henry, blames Aunt Abby, and sells Frado's dog Fido.

### Jack

Leaves home to work as a clerk in a Western city, further reducing Frado's support.

## Key lines

> The remembrance of his kindness cheered her through many a weary month, and an occasional word to her in letters to Jack, were like 'cold waters to a thirsty soul.'

Frado found comfort in memories of James's kindness and in the rare mentions of her in his letters to Jack.

_Highlights Frado's emotional dependence on small kindnesses._

> Strange, one spark of playfulness could remain amid such constant toil; but her natural temperament was in a high degree mirthful, and the encouragement she received from Jack and the hired men, constantly nurtured the inclination.

Despite her exhausting work, Frado's naturally cheerful disposition was kept alive by Jack and the hired men's encouragement.

_Emphasizes Frado's resilience and the role of social support._

> She felt that to such a man she should be considered an incumbrance; she doubted if he would desire her, if he did not know she would bring a handsome patrimony.

Jane believed Henry Reed would see her as a burden if not for her inheritance.

_Reveals Jane's awareness of the transactional nature of her engagement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_nig_se/chapters/v-departures
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_nig_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_nig_se/chapters