Our Nig
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| Author | Harriet E. Wilson |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | Geo. C. Rand & Avery |
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Publication date
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1859 |
| Media type | Print - hardback and paperback |
| Pages | 131 pages |
| ISBN | (2005 paperback edition) |
Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black is an autobiographical novel by Harriet E. Wilson. It was published in 1859 and rediscovered in 1981 by professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. It is considered the first novel published by an African-American woman on the North American continent.
Our Nig opens with the story of Mag Smith. She has been seduced and left with a child born out-of-wedlock. After the child dies, Mag moves away to a place where no one knows her. In this new town, she meets a black man named Jim who falls in love with her. She resists him at first, but soon realizes that her efforts are futile. Jim and Mag marry and they have two children, a daughter Frado and a son.
Jim becomes sick and dies leaving Mag to provide for their children. She marries Seth, one of Jim’s business partners, and he takes the family under his wing. Eventually, Mag and Seth realize that they cannot care for both of the children. He suggests they send her daughter Frado to live with the Bellmonts. Mag refuses at first but eventually, reluctantly agrees. Frado is dropped off at the house under the pretence that Mag will be back to pick her up later in the day.
After a few days the Bellmonts, and Frado, realize Mag never intended to return. Mr. Bellmont is portrayed as kind and humane but Mrs. Bellmont is the complete opposite. The Bellmonts have four children, two boys and two girls. The family debates whether or not to keep Frado, and if they do, where she will sleep. Frado is sent to live in a separate part of the house that she will soon outgrow. The following day, Mrs. Bellmont calls for Frado early in the morning and puts her to work in the kitchen, washing dishes, preparing food, etc.
Mr. Bellmont is humble towards Frado. Jack accepts Frado since her skin is not very dark. His sister Mary resents Frado being there and wants her to go to the County Home instead. Mrs. Bellmont is not happy with Frado living with them but puts her to work doing household chores. Frado now lives in a new room, an unfinished chamber over the kitchen. As a year passes, Frado accepts that she is part of the Bellmont family. Jack buys Frado a dog named Fido, who becomes her friend and eases her loneliness.
Frado is allowed to attend school with Mary. One afternoon on their way home, Mary tries to force Frado into a stream but falls in instead. Mary runs home to tell her mother that Frado pushed her into the water. Frado receives a whipping from Mrs. Bellmont while Jack tries to defend the girl.
Frado runs away; Mr. Bellmont, Jack and James search for her. After she is found she tells James that if God made him, Aunt Abby and Mrs. Bellmont white, then she dislikes God for making her black.
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