Author |
Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884 |
Title |
Clotel; Or, The President's Daughter
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Note |
Reading ease score: 74.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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Summary |
"Clotel; Or, The President's Daughter" by William Wells Brown is a novel written in the mid-19th century that explores the themes of slavery, race, and social injustice in America. The story follows Clotel, the daughter of a slave and a slaveholder, reflecting the complex and painful realities faced by those of mixed heritage in a society that systematically dehumanizes them. Throughout the narrative, Brown highlights the inherent contradictions of a nation founded on principles of liberty while practicing slavery. The opening portion of the novel introduces the horrific institution of slavery and its effects on the lives of those trapped within it. In the preface, Brown discusses the history of slavery in America, emphasizing its moral corruption and the complicity of various societal classes in upholding the system. By depicting the sale of Clotel and her family, the text evokes the emotional torment of separation and the commodification of human lives. As Clotel is evaluated and sold at auction, the reader is confronted with the brutal realities of slavery that strip individuals of their dignity and agency, setting the stage for Clotel's journey amidst the legacy of her origin and the complexities of her relationships. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Language |
English |
LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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Subject |
Children of presidents -- Fiction
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Subject |
Enslaved women -- Fiction
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Subject |
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 -- Relations with women -- Fiction
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Subject |
Domestic fiction
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Subject |
Illegitimate children -- Fiction
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Subject |
African American women -- Fiction
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Subject |
African American families -- Fiction
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Category |
Text |
EBook-No. |
2046 |
Release Date |
Jan 1, 2000 |
Most Recently Updated |
Apr 3, 2015 |
Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
Downloads |
290 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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