The Woman of Colour is an epistolary novel at heart and thus explores letter writing within the novel’s main character, Olivia. Without even thinking about it, Olivia is using her hands as a channel to write and regress into her life back in Jamaica. In addition, the novel also holds slavery and racism at its core. Thus, these hands also embody the labor and cruelties … Continue reading Hand
“Poor” in conjunction with “black” As previously discussed in this project, the repeated use of “black” as a negative and oppressive descriptor throughout the novel conveys the chronic othering of black individuals during the Romantic period. Similarly, Olivia and Dido, her faithful black servant, often use the words “poor” and “black” simultaneously when referring to each other, further conveying the hegemonic perception of black socioeconomic … Continue reading Poor
Introduction: Marriage is ultimately the main goal of The Woman of Colour. Olivia only moves to England because she must marry her cousin in order to receive her late father’s inheritance. The plot follows her journey with Augustus, their wedding, and ultimately their separation. Even though this is an arranged marriage, Olivia is on a quest to find love and she does in fact fall … Continue reading Marriage
“Black” as a negative and othering descriptor Throughout the 1808 novel The Woman of Colour, the anonymous author uses the word “black” to label negative situations and characters of color as others. The term “black” is frequented by the novel’s white characters like little George and Augustus Merton to categorize individuals of color as a different sect of humans who are exotic and inferior to … Continue reading Black
In the context of the long 18th century, the term “lady” refers to a woman, one who is refined, higher up in social status, classy, and usually wealthy. Within The Woman of Colour, A Tale, lady is often used to refer to both Olivia, our protagonist, and the women she finds herself surrounded by in England. The difference lies in the intentions behind each person’s … Continue reading Lady
Something that Olivia Fairfield goes back and forth on throughout her journey in England is her independence. While she is sure of herself and finds ways to be her own person, she is still unable to experience the true feeling of independence. Her whole life has been her doing what she is told without being able to fight back and do what she wishes to … Continue reading Independence
