Clotelle: A Tale of the Southern States: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Clotelle: A Tale of the Southern States: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Clotelle: A Tale of the Southern States is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Brown, William Wells (?–1884).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Clotelle: A Tale of the Southern States" by William Wells Brown is a novel written in the mid-19th century. This narrative explores the complex and harsh realities of slavery in the antebellum Southern States, focusing on the lives of mulatto women and their unfortunate entanglements with their white masters. The story introduces us to Isabella and her mother Agnes, showcasing their struggles within a society that devalues their humanity and commodifies their existence. The opening of the novel sets the stage for a somber exploration of the lives of enslaved individuals, particularly emphasizing the experiences of enslaved women and their families. It begins by discussing the social dynamics among the slave population, highlighting how mulatto women often find themselves sought after for their beauty but also trapped in a cycle of exploitation. The narrative quickly shifts to Agnes and her daughters, revealing their aspirations and the impact of the auction block, where families are torn apart. The characters are immediately thrust into a heart-wrenching reality, setting the tone for the trials they will face in a world that sees them as mere property. Young Henry Linwood promises to purchase Isabella, hinting at the complicated love that will develop amidst the oppressive circumstances they all must endure.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Clotelle: A Tale of the Southern States
- Author credits: Brown, William Wells (?–1884)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- African American families -- Fiction
- African American women -- Fiction
- Domestic fiction
- Enslaved women -- Fiction
- Illegitimate children -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- African American Writers
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
Sources
More in Books & Authors
Keep reading
