Analysis Of The President's Daughter By William Wells Brown

Although cited as the first work of African American fiction, Clotel or, The President’s Daughter, written by William Wells Brown in 1853, proves to be more than just a story. Many sections of the work read like a slave narrative typical of the time, but in fictionalizing the piece, Brown is able to include commentary that would likely not have been allowed or encouraged in works written by African Americans of his generation. Brown’s presentation of irony through the poems of published authors and through religious teachings, as well as the use of multiple dichotomies strategically placed in juxtaposition to one another are only a few of the myriad tactics Brown used to exemplify the absurd nature of chattel slavery and to call Christians …show more content…
Peck are taught the “Biblical” views on slavery. Through the sermon of Mr. Snyder, Brown takes one of the strongest Biblical quotes against slavery (later used by Georgiana Peck in quite an opposite manner) and turns it into a lesson on obeying one’s master. “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do it even so unto them…” (76). Through his explanation Snyder then states, “Now, to suit this rule to your particular circumstances, suppose you were masters and mistresses, and had servants under you, would you not desire that your servants should do their business faithfully and honestly…” (76). Throughout this sermon, Brown demonstrates the irony of using religious teachings to keep slaves in the chains of slavery. In one final demonstration of irony in this section, he shares the satirical conversation between the slaves after Snyder and Carlton have left. Ned, one of the slaves, shares that he thinks the people who wrote the Bible are great fools because “…dey made such a great big book and put nuttin’ in it, but servants obey yer masters” (82). To which Sam, another slave responds, “Oh, thars more in de Bible den dat, only Snyder never reads any other parts to us…” (82). This use of satirical humor demonstrates that the use of religion and enforced ignorance (not allowing …show more content…
In the same text he creates a second dichotomy of slavery and Christianity. He furthers this dichotomy through the introduction of the characters of Mr. Peck and his daughter Georgiana. Although both Christians, Mr. Peck’s older views which he uses to keep his slaves thus bound create a contrast with Georgiana younger views which strongly demonstrate Christianity’s position against slavery. “Don’t you suppose that I understand the Scriptures better than you? I have been in the world longer,” the father asks of the daughter (97). To which the daughter replies, “Yes, you have been in the world longer, and amongst slaveholders so long that you do not regard it in the same light that those do who have not become so familiar with its every-day scenes as you...” (97). What follows is several paragraphs of the daughter’s proof that the Bible, both the New and Old Testaments, does, in fact, condemn slavery, quoting such scripture as, “’He that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death’; and ‘Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness…that uses his neighbour’s service without wages…’” (97). Although the father and daughter in the text agree to disagree and live in harmony, Brown has effectively used a dichotomy to create a clear, if not less