Harriet E. Wilson, Our Nig: or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black

R. J. Ellis (University of Birmingham)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 3.2.5: African American Writing and Culture of the United States.
Vol. editors: Philathia Bolton (University of Akron), Patrick Chura (University of Akron), J. Michael Duvall (College of Charleston), Emory Elliott (University of California, Riverside), A Yemisi Jimoh (University of Massachusetts Amherst), Stephen E. Meats (Pittsburg State University), Tony Papanikolas (San Jose State University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1859

Places

United States (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Non-Fiction
- Autobiography (literary)
Novel

Resources

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Our Nig

is easily summarized: Frado, also known as “Our Nig”, is deserted by her white mother, Mag Smith, when still a young child, following the death of her African American father. She is left in the home of the Bellmonts, where she becomes an indentured servant and is treated cruelly both by her white mistress, Mrs. Bellmont (Mrs. B.) and her daughter, Mary. Mr. Bellmont and his sons, aided by a kindly maiden aunt, Abby, ineffectually try to protect Frado, but she finally learns to stand up for herself – at least to some extent – in a climactic confrontation with Mrs. B. by the farm's woodpile. Mrs. B.'s abuse continues, however, so when she comes of age at eighteen she takes the opportunity to leave, only to discover the “independence” she assumed by the woodpile is…

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1263 words

Citation: Ellis, R. J.. "Our Nig: or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 January 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=9478, accessed 25 April 2024.]

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