The Life and Adventures of Jonathan Jefferson Whitlaw; or, Scenes on the Mississippi.
Author Details
Surname:Trollope
First Names:Frances
Gender:Female
Anonymous:No
Publication Details
Publisher:Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street.
Place:London
Date:1836
Novel Details
Genre:Adventure; biography; courtship; didactic/moralising; domestic; manners/society; political; social commentary; travel
Setting:America; Mississippi
Period:Contemporary
Plot
In a nutshell: this is a terrific novel which takes surprising narrative twists and turns (the eponymous hero is a bad man, and not in an anti-hero way: he's just a bad man). Overall the novel is passionately anti-slavery and affords sizable roles to slave characters.
Jonathan Whitlaw (hereafter JW) arrives on the banks of the Mississippi with his wife Portia and sister Clio and claims some land to set up as a trader to the steamers that pass by. Son Jonathan Jefferson (hereafter JJ) is soon born, and before the age of 10 proves himself to be fit and resourceful, with a keen sense of barter.
After 10 years JW sells the trading station and buys one in Natchez. The Whitlaws move in close to the Steinmarks who have come over from Germany; they comprise mother Mary, father Frederick, four sons and one daughter. Steinmarks are paragons of every virtue and although civil do not trust the scheming Whitlaws. There is also a lot of emphasis placed by the narrator on the fact that the Steinmarks do not own slaves, but the Whitlaws do.
At 18 JJ is educated and is taken in by Colonel Dart - a major slave owner and horrible man. JW remarries, Portia having died. Clio loves her nephew and puts up with rude behaviour from him when he visits, although she also very friendly towards the Whitlaws and they like and respect her.
Orphaned Edward and Lucy Bligh come to Natchez to educate slaves. They meet up with their former slave Phebe and set about secret education and bible meetings. JJ is attracted to Phebe and wants his wicked way with her. He also falls for Lotte but the family close ranks against him. Phebe is rescued by old slave Juno. Lucy goes to work for a seamstress, Edward falls passionately in love with Lotte Steinmark but she is already in a developing relationship with Sigismund, a friend of the family who has come to visit.
The novel sets up quite a complex and varied set of slave characters. Juno the old slave mourns the loss of her first daughter who was taken to England by her white father. Juno cunningly exploits white superstition by prophesising for white owners and codeswitching between very poetic language and more expected 'black' English; Phebe is highly educated, beautiful and virtuous; Phebe's mother Peggy is less educated but intelligent and loyal and codeswitches a little; Caesar the escaped slave is in love with Phebe.
JJ goes to New Orleans and is first swindled and then engages in gambling with some success. He meets Mr Croft and his daughter Selina, making a presumptuous bid for Selina's hand in marriage. Juno goes to visit Selina and reveals that she is Selina's great grandmother. Selina is shocked and horrified although her father is not particularly disturbed. JJ discovers the secret and blackmails Selina with exposure (surely he must be the least charming eponymous 'hero' of any novel ever). Selina commits suicide and her body is discovered by Juno who retreats home, swearing vengeance on JJ.
Caesar plans his wedding to Phebe, and goes to tell Lucy at the seamstress's. They are partly overheard by someone who believes they are setting up a lover's meeting and this puts everyone at danger from the lynch mob organised by JJ. Lucy manages to escape and is aided first by native Americans of the Choctaw tribe, and then by Karl Steinmark, who becomes enamoured of her. There follows quite a tense series of scenes as the Steinmarks plan to return to Germany where they will receive an inheritance; Edward is reluctant to abandon the slaves he has been preaching to. Eventually there are very gripping scenes as Juno manages to warn the Steinmarks in time and they hide but the lynch mob grabs and hangs Edward. Finally Juno gets her revenge when she arranges for JJ to be killed by some strong slaves and hides the body. Goodhearted Clio inherits and everyone lives (moderately) happily ever after.
Jonathan Whitlaw (hereafter JW) arrives on the banks of the Mississippi with his wife Portia and sister Clio and claims some land to set up as a trader to the steamers that pass by. Son Jonathan Jefferson (hereafter JJ) is soon born, and before the age of 10 proves himself to be fit and resourceful, with a keen sense of barter.
After 10 years JW sells the trading station and buys one in Natchez. The Whitlaws move in close to the Steinmarks who have come over from Germany; they comprise mother Mary, father Frederick, four sons and one daughter. Steinmarks are paragons of every virtue and although civil do not trust the scheming Whitlaws. There is also a lot of emphasis placed by the narrator on the fact that the Steinmarks do not own slaves, but the Whitlaws do.
At 18 JJ is educated and is taken in by Colonel Dart - a major slave owner and horrible man. JW remarries, Portia having died. Clio loves her nephew and puts up with rude behaviour from him when he visits, although she also very friendly towards the Whitlaws and they like and respect her.
Orphaned Edward and Lucy Bligh come to Natchez to educate slaves. They meet up with their former slave Phebe and set about secret education and bible meetings. JJ is attracted to Phebe and wants his wicked way with her. He also falls for Lotte but the family close ranks against him. Phebe is rescued by old slave Juno. Lucy goes to work for a seamstress, Edward falls passionately in love with Lotte Steinmark but she is already in a developing relationship with Sigismund, a friend of the family who has come to visit.
The novel sets up quite a complex and varied set of slave characters. Juno the old slave mourns the loss of her first daughter who was taken to England by her white father. Juno cunningly exploits white superstition by prophesising for white owners and codeswitching between very poetic language and more expected 'black' English; Phebe is highly educated, beautiful and virtuous; Phebe's mother Peggy is less educated but intelligent and loyal and codeswitches a little; Caesar the escaped slave is in love with Phebe.
JJ goes to New Orleans and is first swindled and then engages in gambling with some success. He meets Mr Croft and his daughter Selina, making a presumptuous bid for Selina's hand in marriage. Juno goes to visit Selina and reveals that she is Selina's great grandmother. Selina is shocked and horrified although her father is not particularly disturbed. JJ discovers the secret and blackmails Selina with exposure (surely he must be the least charming eponymous 'hero' of any novel ever). Selina commits suicide and her body is discovered by Juno who retreats home, swearing vengeance on JJ.
Caesar plans his wedding to Phebe, and goes to tell Lucy at the seamstress's. They are partly overheard by someone who believes they are setting up a lover's meeting and this puts everyone at danger from the lynch mob organised by JJ. Lucy manages to escape and is aided first by native Americans of the Choctaw tribe, and then by Karl Steinmark, who becomes enamoured of her. There follows quite a tense series of scenes as the Steinmarks plan to return to Germany where they will receive an inheritance; Edward is reluctant to abandon the slaves he has been preaching to. Eventually there are very gripping scenes as Juno manages to warn the Steinmarks in time and they hide but the lynch mob grabs and hangs Edward. Finally Juno gets her revenge when she arranges for JJ to be killed by some strong slaves and hides the body. Goodhearted Clio inherits and everyone lives (moderately) happily ever after.
Overview of the Dialect
Jonathan Whitlaw (senior), wife Portia, sister Clio and son Jonathan Jefferson are all quite marked as dialectal. The Steinmarks are German but shown to speak English with a few minor vocabulary items. Many of the secondary characters speak American English, but not all of them are recorded here because there is no differentiation between them. The slaves speak a range of language varieties - some characters speak a stereotypical 'yes massa' style of English, but many others are shown to speak Standard English and to quote poetry. In some instances you get scenes where the African American characters are speaking Standard English and the European American characters are dialectal.
Unexpectedly nondialectal characters: Several African American slaves speak standard English, which is explained through their education.
Unexpectedly nondialectal characters: Several African American slaves speak standard English, which is explained through their education.
Speaker #1:Jonathan Whitlaw - Trader
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Jonathan Whitlaw
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Central
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Trader
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Mississippi
Place of Origin Category:Natchez, Mississippi, America
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I say, Bub," she began, "I say, -- do you know that Porchy and I are right down dead almost for summet to eat? I can get at the bag with the corncakes in no time. Shall I, Jonathan?"
Jonathan turned his quid of tobacco deliberately from one cheek to the other, and then replied,
" I'll tell you what it is, sis , -- we are here -- no matter why, -- Perhaps 'tis because I happen to like this here part of the country best -- but at any rate here we be , and I can tell you that here we must bide -- but as to spending our days in nothing but eating, it's what I'm not provided for. Now look you , both of you, and I'll tell you the case at once. The nearest town to this here bit is Natchez, and I calculate that it is not over nigh for a walk through the bush, seeing it can't be much less than twenty miles right a-head. I won't say that we can't buy a bushel of corn-meal no nigher , but I won't say we can; but this I will say, that near or far, we shan't never get it at all without having the Spanish wheels ready, I expect ; and concerning that commodity I'll tell you no lies, -- I have got no more of it than a mouse might carry easy at full trot. But, however, there stands the meal-tub chock full, and dry as a ripe tassel, -- I took care of that. And here's five gallons of whisky, and there's my axe, and here's my arms," baring them as he spoke to the shoulder. "So be good gals , and I'll fix a palace for you; but don't be for everlasting talking of eating, jest in the beginning, -- I shall be wrathy enough if you do, I tell you that: so mind and say no more about it, but each of you take a drop with me, and you'll be after helping me build in no time."
(Vol. 1,p. 11-13)Jonathan turned his quid of tobacco deliberately from one cheek to the other, and then replied,
" I'll tell you what it is, sis , -- we are here -- no matter why, -- Perhaps 'tis because I happen to like this here part of the country best -- but at any rate here we be , and I can tell you that here we must bide -- but as to spending our days in nothing but eating, it's what I'm not provided for. Now look you , both of you, and I'll tell you the case at once. The nearest town to this here bit is Natchez, and I calculate that it is not over nigh for a walk through the bush, seeing it can't be much less than twenty miles right a-head. I won't say that we can't buy a bushel of corn-meal no nigher , but I won't say we can; but this I will say, that near or far, we shan't never get it at all without having the Spanish wheels ready, I expect ; and concerning that commodity I'll tell you no lies, -- I have got no more of it than a mouse might carry easy at full trot. But, however, there stands the meal-tub chock full, and dry as a ripe tassel, -- I took care of that. And here's five gallons of whisky, and there's my axe, and here's my arms," baring them as he spoke to the shoulder. "So be good gals , and I'll fix a palace for you; but don't be for everlasting talking of eating, jest in the beginning, -- I shall be wrathy enough if you do, I tell you that: so mind and say no more about it, but each of you take a drop with me, and you'll be after helping me build in no time."
Speakers: All , Jonathan Whitlaw
" By the living Jingo ," cried the man, springing on shore, "it is time to be smart or we shall be going down where nobody comes up. Be spry gals !" he continued, stretching out his hand to assist the disembarkation of the females: "you hold her fast on with the hook, Portia, till I can grapple her tight to a tree; and you, Clio, look sharp and fix them notions safe and dry on shore as fast as I can pitch them at ye ."
The individual who thus, in the true Columbian style, now planted his foot on the land, and thereby took possession of it, was a powerful muscular man somewhat past thirty.
(Vol. 1,p. 6)The individual who thus, in the true Columbian style, now planted his foot on the land, and thereby took possession of it, was a powerful muscular man somewhat past thirty.
Speaker #2:Clio Whitlaw - Trader
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Clio Whitlaw
Gender:Female
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Central
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Trader
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Mississippi
Place of Origin Category:Natchez, Mississippi, America
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I say, Bub," she began, "I say, -- do you know that Porchy and I are right down dead almost for summet to eat? I can get at the bag with the corncakes in no time. Shall I, Jonathan?"
Jonathan turned his quid of tobacco deliberately from one cheek to the other, and then replied,
" I'll tell you what it is, sis , -- we are here -- no matter why, -- Perhaps 'tis because I happen to like this here part of the country best -- but at any rate here we be , and I can tell you that here we must bide -- but as to spending our days in nothing but eating, it's what I'm not provided for. Now look you , both of you, and I'll tell you the case at once. The nearest town to this here bit is Natchez, and I calculate that it is not over nigh for a walk through the bush, seeing it can't be much less than twenty miles right a-head. I won't say that we can't buy a bushel of corn-meal no nigher , but I won't say we can; but this I will say, that near or far, we shan't never get it at all without having the Spanish wheels ready, I expect ; and concerning that commodity I'll tell you no lies, -- I have got no more of it than a mouse might carry easy at full trot. But, however, there stands the meal-tub chock full, and dry as a ripe tassel, -- I took care of that. And here's five gallons of whisky, and there's my axe, and here's my arms," baring them as he spoke to the shoulder. "So be good gals , and I'll fix a palace for you; but don't be for everlasting talking of eating, jest in the beginning, -- I shall be wrathy enough if you do, I tell you that: so mind and say no more about it, but each of you take a drop with me, and you'll be after helping me build in no time."
(Vol. 1,p. 11-13)Jonathan turned his quid of tobacco deliberately from one cheek to the other, and then replied,
" I'll tell you what it is, sis , -- we are here -- no matter why, -- Perhaps 'tis because I happen to like this here part of the country best -- but at any rate here we be , and I can tell you that here we must bide -- but as to spending our days in nothing but eating, it's what I'm not provided for. Now look you , both of you, and I'll tell you the case at once. The nearest town to this here bit is Natchez, and I calculate that it is not over nigh for a walk through the bush, seeing it can't be much less than twenty miles right a-head. I won't say that we can't buy a bushel of corn-meal no nigher , but I won't say we can; but this I will say, that near or far, we shan't never get it at all without having the Spanish wheels ready, I expect ; and concerning that commodity I'll tell you no lies, -- I have got no more of it than a mouse might carry easy at full trot. But, however, there stands the meal-tub chock full, and dry as a ripe tassel, -- I took care of that. And here's five gallons of whisky, and there's my axe, and here's my arms," baring them as he spoke to the shoulder. "So be good gals , and I'll fix a palace for you; but don't be for everlasting talking of eating, jest in the beginning, -- I shall be wrathy enough if you do, I tell you that: so mind and say no more about it, but each of you take a drop with me, and you'll be after helping me build in no time."
Speakers: All , Clio Whitlaw
" Arn't he a smart boy, Porchy?" said Clio, who wanted to attach her brother agin, without directly addressing him. "Ten years old last Wednesday was a week, and hunting and snaring, and swimming and fending, as if he was twenty! now won't it be a burning shame if he bean't taught to read?"
(Vol. 1,p. 48)Extract #3 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
The kind-hearted Clio encouraged her hopes, and recounted sundry histories which she had heard from their forest customers, of the betterfying effects of the handsome locations round Natchez.
" 'Tis the most spendid bluff on the river," she continued, " that's a fact; and though our lot bean't on the very tip-top of it, maybe yet we'll have the benefit of it, sis , that's past doubting."
"And do the folks live fine there, Aunt Cli?" inquired the boy eagerly: "have they got cabins to sit in?"
" To be sure they have, my darling, as fine as New Orlines ; and thee shall be the finest of 'em all, my glory, -- mark my words if thee shan't ."
(Vol. 1,p. 61)" 'Tis the most spendid bluff on the river," she continued, " that's a fact; and though our lot bean't on the very tip-top of it, maybe yet we'll have the benefit of it, sis , that's past doubting."
"And do the folks live fine there, Aunt Cli?" inquired the boy eagerly: "have they got cabins to sit in?"
" To be sure they have, my darling, as fine as New Orlines ; and thee shall be the finest of 'em all, my glory, -- mark my words if thee shan't ."
Extract #4 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Clio Whitlaw
" Well now , Bub, I'll tell you a piece of my mind : you'll find no reason, if you look about from Georgia to Maine, why this 'ere smart chap of our'n shouldn't be President -- and so I say too, why don't the boy be learnt to read?"
(Vol. 1,p. 38)Speaker #3:Jonathan Jefferson Whitlaw - Trader
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Jonathan Jefferson Whitlaw
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - young
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Central
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Trader
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Mississippi
Place of Origin Category:Natchez, Mississippi, America
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
The kind-hearted Clio encouraged her hopes, and recounted sundry histories which she had heard from their forest customers, of the betterfying effects of the handsome locations round Natchez.
" 'Tis the most spendid bluff on the river," she continued, " that's a fact; and though our lot bean't on the very tip-top of it, maybe yet we'll have the benefit of it, sis , that's past doubting."
"And do the folks live fine there, Aunt Cli?" inquired the boy eagerly: "have they got cabins to sit in?"
" To be sure they have, my darling, as fine as New Orlines ; and thee shall be the finest of 'em all, my glory, -- mark my words if thee shan't ."
(Vol. 1,p. 61)" 'Tis the most spendid bluff on the river," she continued, " that's a fact; and though our lot bean't on the very tip-top of it, maybe yet we'll have the benefit of it, sis , that's past doubting."
"And do the folks live fine there, Aunt Cli?" inquired the boy eagerly: "have they got cabins to sit in?"
" To be sure they have, my darling, as fine as New Orlines ; and thee shall be the finest of 'em all, my glory, -- mark my words if thee shan't ."
Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I never play for what I can't make, you see, Mr. Crabshawly; and that's a mastership over one's-self that I expect many haven't got, and so I count my game surer than most men's, especially for the bets as runs upon the strokes ; but I've no manner of objection to go shares with an understanding man like yourself, who may beat me a game or two before them as may like to try their chance after. I expect there must be company by this: shall we go?"
"No, no, Mr. Whitlaw; the New Orlines men of fashion bean't never early of a morning. There's no money worth winning there as yet, I'll answer for it; and besides, we must make our understanding more perfect, I expect , before we commences regular together. Do you undertake to give me half of all you win, if I give my time, experience, and talents, to poke the gudgeons into your net? I expect that's the question put fair, Mr. Whitlaw: and now, sir, for your answer."
(Vol. 2,p. 201)"No, no, Mr. Whitlaw; the New Orlines men of fashion bean't never early of a morning. There's no money worth winning there as yet, I'll answer for it; and besides, we must make our understanding more perfect, I expect , before we commences regular together. Do you undertake to give me half of all you win, if I give my time, experience, and talents, to poke the gudgeons into your net? I expect that's the question put fair, Mr. Whitlaw: and now, sir, for your answer."
Extract #3 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Jonathan Jefferson Whitlaw
" Don't I, Mr. Hogstown? I expect I do, sir: and I tell you what, though, I'm in no hurry to leave New Orlines , -- that is, not before my duty and business is done finished , -- yet this is what I know and am ready to testify, that nothing I or you either can be after doing here will help the cause one quarter so much as blowing up them incarnate devils at Reichland, -- the Steinmarks, I mean. If there's mischief brewing in one quarter, it comes from them: you may as well doubt that a nigger's black. Where will you find another rich man as don't own a slave ? and what can it mean, coming as it does too from the d---d Europe side of the water, but emancipation and treason? Maybe we're all of us in a bad way; I don't know but we shall find it so: but this I do know, that if there's any hope left, it will be by making an example of those cursed emancipation chaps, the young Steinmarks."
(Vol. 2,p. 245-246)Extract #4 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" Well, now, I expect you'll be more clever , my fine girl," he began, "now that we've got neither mother nor brats to watch us I guess it's a first chop bit of good luck for you having jest hit my fancy."
This speech was accompanied by a repetition of the caresses he had proferred in his hut.
Phebe slipped from his embraces, and standing at some distance from him, said -- "When the white commands the black to labour, the black must obey; -- but when the white commands the black to love, it is ony the wicked who make believe to do his bidding."
" That's the stlickest speech, Phebe, that ever I heard a nigger speak since first I carried a whip for 'em . Why, there isn't a copper to choose between you and the play-actors at New Orlines . -- But now, hear me a spell. If you won't behave yourself as I would have you, and let me see you jump for joy into the bargain, there shall no more skin be left on your back than might serve the tailor for a pattern. -- D'ye hear that, you black she-nigger?"
(Vol. 1,p. 203-204)This speech was accompanied by a repetition of the caresses he had proferred in his hut.
Phebe slipped from his embraces, and standing at some distance from him, said -- "When the white commands the black to labour, the black must obey; -- but when the white commands the black to love, it is ony the wicked who make believe to do his bidding."
" That's the stlickest speech, Phebe, that ever I heard a nigger speak since first I carried a whip for 'em . Why, there isn't a copper to choose between you and the play-actors at New Orlines . -- But now, hear me a spell. If you won't behave yourself as I would have you, and let me see you jump for joy into the bargain, there shall no more skin be left on your back than might serve the tailor for a pattern. -- D'ye hear that, you black she-nigger?"
Speaker #4:Juno - Slave
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Juno
Gender:Female
Age:Adult - elderly
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Central
Dialect Features:Codeswitch, Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Slave
Social Role Category:Slave
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Originally brought up by French Family in America, resident in Mississippi for many years
Place of Origin Category:Natchez, Mississippi, America
Extract #1 dialect features: Metalanguage
She laid the bamboo lightly on his shoulder as he approached, and peering up into his face, fixed for a moment her restless eyes upon his; then removing her staff, and pointing it towards Johnson, she uttered in a sort of chant, but totally free from all negro peculiarity of pronunciation,
"Solemn words must secret be!
No ear must hear, no eye must see,
What shall pass 'twixt thee and me."
(Vol. 1,p. 225)"Solemn words must secret be!
No ear must hear, no eye must see,
What shall pass 'twixt thee and me."
One of the old woman's favourite tricks to produce effect was to change her dialect, from the English she had learned but too well during her days of happiness, to the negro gibberish usually spoken by her race; declaring that when using the former, she was "under a power," and could not help it.
She now replied to Whitlaw without the aid of inspiration.
" I'se right-down glad, massa 'dential clerk, you dutiful to the spirits . I 'spect Juno can help you a spell , Massa Whitlaw, with the black beauty. -- Please speak civil 'cause of the spirits -- One -- two -- three. Oh! there they are, skimming and dipping over your head. Speak civil , Massa Whitlaw, 'cause else they'll be on me 'gen , and that works Juno."
(Vol. 2,p. 18)She now replied to Whitlaw without the aid of inspiration.
" I'se right-down glad, massa 'dential clerk, you dutiful to the spirits . I 'spect Juno can help you a spell , Massa Whitlaw, with the black beauty. -- Please speak civil 'cause of the spirits -- One -- two -- three. Oh! there they are, skimming and dipping over your head. Speak civil , Massa Whitlaw, 'cause else they'll be on me 'gen , and that works Juno."
"Rose, Rose, coal-black Rose!
"I wish I may be scotched if I don't love Rose!"
were the first words the beldam articulated after she had ceased her shout of unnatural laughter. " Oh, massa clerk! " she added, " dat be your way making lub !" and again the cabin seemed to ring with her discordant laughter.
(Vol. 1,p. 222-223)"I wish I may be scotched if I don't love Rose!"
were the first words the beldam articulated after she had ceased her shout of unnatural laughter. " Oh, massa clerk! " she added, " dat be your way making lub !" and again the cabin seemed to ring with her discordant laughter.
Extract #4 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I know it, mother! -- we all know it; and what then? we hab more lashes and more work to look for, mother; but you do no good to wake me ub to talk ob it."
"Titus, if you are a man, you will not let this villain live! Now is the time to take him --now is the appointed hour; now when his riches and his glories hang thick upon him -- now tear him up root and branch, and throw him to the wolves and foxes, that are his kindred."
" O Lor ! O Lor ! Juno, -- what monstrous wickedness is that you say! Is we not Christians , Juno? and what would our massa Edward say if we did such a deed as that?"
(Vol. 3,p. 220)"Titus, if you are a man, you will not let this villain live! Now is the time to take him --now is the appointed hour; now when his riches and his glories hang thick upon him -- now tear him up root and branch, and throw him to the wolves and foxes, that are his kindred."
" O Lor ! O Lor ! Juno, -- what monstrous wickedness is that you say! Is we not Christians , Juno? and what would our massa Edward say if we did such a deed as that?"
Speaker #5:Negro lad - Slave
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Negro lad
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - young
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Slave
Social Role Category:Slave
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Mississippi
Place of Origin Category:Natchez, Mississippi, America
" You give the baccy , massa , for this?" holding out the recovered money as he spoke.
Mr. Monroe Vandumper received the money and counted it.
" Now , isn't he an impudent varment ?" he exclaimed, turning to the weary jesters, who were wiping their brows after the sport.
" Isn't he a proper nigger? -- You black dirt you! d'ye think I'll trust such a one as you a picciune ?"
(Vol. 1,p. 255-256)Mr. Monroe Vandumper received the money and counted it.
" Now , isn't he an impudent varment ?" he exclaimed, turning to the weary jesters, who were wiping their brows after the sport.
" Isn't he a proper nigger? -- You black dirt you! d'ye think I'll trust such a one as you a picciune ?"
Extract #2 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I expect not, squire," said the balancing occupant of the stool: "it would pay any of us well for the loss of a dozen lazy black devils for a week, such a sight as that; and what's more, we must contrive to have it soon, or I calculate worse will follow. I'm positive certain that some of my black varment are being learned to read; and if that spreads, we'll have an insurrection and be murdered in our beds before we're a year older, as sure as the sun's in heaven."
" Massa want tree pound of baccy ," said a fine-looking negro lad, approaching the receipt of custom with money for the purchase on his extended palm.
(Vol. 1,p. 253-254)" Massa want tree pound of baccy ," said a fine-looking negro lad, approaching the receipt of custom with money for the purchase on his extended palm.
Speaker #6:Crabshowy - Swindler
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Crabshawy
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - young
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Swindler
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:New Orleans
Place of Origin Category:New Orleans, Louisiana, America
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I never play for what I can't make, you see, Mr. Crabshawly; and that's a mastership over one's-self that I expect many haven't got, and so I count my game surer than most men's, especially for the bets as runs upon the strokes ; but I've no manner of objection to go shares with an understanding man like yourself, who may beat me a game or two before them as may like to try their chance after. I expect there must be company by this: shall we go?"
"No, no, Mr. Whitlaw; the New Orlines men of fashion bean't never early of a morning. There's no money worth winning there as yet, I'll answer for it; and besides, we must make our understanding more perfect, I expect , before we commences regular together. Do you undertake to give me half of all you win, if I give my time, experience, and talents, to poke the gudgeons into your net? I expect that's the question put fair, Mr. Whitlaw: and now, sir, for your answer."
(Vol. 2,p. 201)"No, no, Mr. Whitlaw; the New Orlines men of fashion bean't never early of a morning. There's no money worth winning there as yet, I'll answer for it; and besides, we must make our understanding more perfect, I expect , before we commences regular together. Do you undertake to give me half of all you win, if I give my time, experience, and talents, to poke the gudgeons into your net? I expect that's the question put fair, Mr. Whitlaw: and now, sir, for your answer."
"I know 'em , I know 'em , considerable well," replied Crabshawly. "Money they've got to lose, that's a fact, and play of all kinds comes as natural to 'em both as to a kitten; but I dubiate if they arn't over much in our own line to be worth much. I don't mean that they're that professional neither ; but they're up to a thing or two, I promise ye ."
(Vol. 2,p. 205)Speaker #7:Sam Wilmot - Freed quadroon barber
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Sam Wilmot
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Freed quadroon barber
Social Role Category:Trade or craft
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:New Orleans
Place of Origin Category:New Orleans, Louisiana, America
Speakers: All , Sam Wilmot
"If it please you, Miss Juno, I will be happy to promise it; though I can't but think 'tis but an unnatural thing too. However, I know better than to make or meddle, Miss Juno, with what does not concern myself, and I'm mum , you may 'pend upoon it."
(Vol. 3,p. 23)Speakers: All , Sam Wilmot
"Mis Juno.
"This is from your friend Mr. Sam Wilmot. I have big news for you, Mis Juno. As sure as I live to tell it, your own truly-begot great-grand-daughter, Selina Croft by name, is living at this presint riting in New Orlines . This will make you star, Mis Juno, and well it may, for it is a grit and unaccountable interference of Provydance . So it is, howsomever; and it is of course that you will come up, Mis Juno, and presint yourself to your posterity. I question if there is another in this big city that knows as much as I do of this rich and beautiful young lady; and knowing, Miss Juno, the spite of our enimyes upon us, I'll take care that nobody shall know nothing from me . My three-pair-of-stairs back-granary is not ocpied at presint , Miss Juno, and you may rint the apartment as before. When you come, I will tell you all particlars how I made the discovery. But the best is, I'm pretty considerable sure that the father as brought her knows no more about her mother's decent than all the fine creole folks as have made acquaintance with her ."
(Vol. 3,p. 17-18)"This is from your friend Mr. Sam Wilmot. I have big news for you, Mis Juno. As sure as I live to tell it, your own truly-begot great-grand-daughter, Selina Croft by name, is living at this presint riting in New Orlines . This will make you star, Mis Juno, and well it may, for it is a grit and unaccountable interference of Provydance . So it is, howsomever; and it is of course that you will come up, Mis Juno, and presint yourself to your posterity. I question if there is another in this big city that knows as much as I do of this rich and beautiful young lady; and knowing, Miss Juno, the spite of our enimyes upon us, I'll take care that nobody shall know nothing from me . My three-pair-of-stairs back-granary is not ocpied at presint , Miss Juno, and you may rint the apartment as before. When you come, I will tell you all particlars how I made the discovery. But the best is, I'm pretty considerable sure that the father as brought her knows no more about her mother's decent than all the fine creole folks as have made acquaintance with her ."
Speaker #8:Titus - Slave
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Titus
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Slave
Social Role Category:Slave
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Mississippi
Place of Origin Category:Mississippi, America
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"I know it, mother! -- we all know it; and what then? we hab more lashes and more work to look for, mother; but you do no good to wake me ub to talk ob it."
"Titus, if you are a man, you will not let this villain live! Now is the time to take him --now is the appointed hour; now when his riches and his glories hang thick upon him -- now tear him up root and branch, and throw him to the wolves and foxes, that are his kindred."
" O Lor ! O Lor ! Juno, -- what monstrous wickedness is that you say! Is we not Christians , Juno? and what would our massa Edward say if we did such a deed as that?"
(Vol. 3,p. 220)"Titus, if you are a man, you will not let this villain live! Now is the time to take him --now is the appointed hour; now when his riches and his glories hang thick upon him -- now tear him up root and branch, and throw him to the wolves and foxes, that are his kindred."
" O Lor ! O Lor ! Juno, -- what monstrous wickedness is that you say! Is we not Christians , Juno? and what would our massa Edward say if we did such a deed as that?"