Our Nig Analysis

Harriet Adams was born in approximately 1808 in Milford. New Hampshire. She was born into a mixed-race family, where her mother was Irish and her dad was African-American. When Harriet was young, her father died and her mother abandoned her at a farm that belonged to the Hayward’s. The Hayward family used her as an indentured servant, and in exchange for her services, Harriet was given a place to stay and basics in everyday life skills in order to help her become a successful woman later on in life. Harriet was abused during her young life at the Hayward’s but this did not stop her from doing what she needed to do. When Harriet turned eighteen, she moved to a different part in New Hampshire and continued to work as a servant and a seamstress.
Harriet wrote “Our Nig” which is considered autobiographical because it is the story line of her own life, except she implemented the character ‘Frado’ in place of herself. Harriet was in Boston during this time, working on her literature and dressmaking. Our Nig was published on September 5, 1859, this was known as the first published book by any African-American. For women writers in the late 19th century, getting published was a rare occurrence but many pursued publications as a source of income (Elwood-Farber, 473). When her son died, Harriet centered herself in activities around the church; she was apart of organizations, Sunday School, board meetings, skits/plays, and decorations for events in the church. Our Nig was her only publication on record, and Harriet died in June of
Mr. and Mrs. Bellmont are married, and they end up taking Frado in when her mother abandons her. “Mr. Bellmont was a kind, humane man, who would not grudge hospitality to the poorest wanderer, nor fail to sympathize with any sufferer, however humble (Wilson, 13). Mr. Bellmont is the considered at the nice guy when he interacts with Frado, which makes Frado feel safe. Mr. Bellmont is considered the kind guy that would take anyone under his wing because he has a big heart, and has a lot of sympathy for the less fortunate people. The book describes Mr. Bellmont as a guy who is very kind and big-hearted, and would do anything for the “poorest traveler.” Although Mr. Bellmont shows empathy towards Frado, he sees the abuse put on her by his wife and his daughter, but does not do anything to stop the