Clotel

Though previously he “had never dreamed of marriage” (123), Carlton begins to fall in love with Georgiana. Mr. Peck, noticing, does everything he can to ensure Carlton stays as long as possible. When Mr. Peck suddenly falls ill with cholera, Carlton sits with him on his deathbed, further endearing himself to Georgiana. Mr. Peck dies, and Carlton decides to stay until Georgiana’s family arrives from Connecticut.

Upon observing that Mr. Peck’s slaves are not upset at his passing, Carlton suggests to Georgiana that they are “ungrateful” (124). Georgiana asks him what “have they to be grateful for” (124). She tells him that even the most kindness extended to a slave “would be unkindness if given to whites” (124) and that “[e]verybody knows that slavery in its best and mildest form is wrong” (124).

Carlton and Georgiana are walking along the property when they hear the slaves, led by Sam, singing. Carlton suggests they listen. Sam sings lyrics in which he celebrates Mr. Peck’s death, and the chorus agrees. The song describes how now that he is dead, “our blood will awhile cease to flow” (125) and “no more will [he] send our wives to Tennessee” (126). Carlton regrets that Georgiana has heard the song, but Georgiana believes that “[i]t is from these unguarded expressions of the feelings of the Negroes, that we should learn a lesson” (127).