Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black

“God be thanked […] no one can taunt her with my ruin.” 

Frado’s mother, Mag Smith, had her first child pass away shortly after the child was born. Mag expresses relief that her child passed away before she had a chance to grow up and experience the same social ostracization that Mag encounters as an unwed mother.

“Thus she lived for years, hugging her wrongs, but making no effort to escape. She had never known plenty, scarcely competency; but the present was beyond comparison with those innocent years when the coronet of virtue was hers.” 

In Mag’s lifetime, she has never known anything but poverty. This passage suggests that her virginity was the only virtue she had. By losing her virginity, she comes to know even deeper poverty than before. Without any chance at upward social mobility, she resigns herself to her impoverished fate.

“I’m glad […] if there is one who isn’t glad to see me suffer. I b’lieve all Singleton wants to see me punished, and feel as if they could tell when I’ve been punished long enough. It’s a long day ahead they’ll set it, I reckon.” 

A black man named Jim is the only person in the town of Singleton where Mag lives who has shown her any kindness. The town casts judgment on Mag for having sexual relations and bearing a child out of wedlock. Jim is the only one who does not seem to care about these social judgments towards her, taking pity on Mag instead.