73 pages • 2 hours read
William Wells BrownClotel
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1853A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Clotel; or, The President’s Daughter follows Clotel and her family as they endure the brutal separations and hardships imposed by slavery, beginning with their sale after President Thomas Jefferson's rumored affair with their mother, Sally Hemings. The narrative explores the devastating impacts of slavery, including family separation, sexual exploitation, and social and legal injustices, while critiquing the moral contradictions of a society that claims to value freedom and equality.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
William Wells Brown's Clotel receives praise for its historical significance and exploration of race and identity, highlighting its pioneering role as the first novel published by an African American. However, some critique its melodramatic plot and uneven character development. Overall, it remains a vital read for its cultural and historical import.
Who Should Read Clotel?
A reader who enjoys Clotel by William Wells Brown would likely be interested in African American literature, historical fiction, and narratives that explore themes of slavery and racial injustice. Fans of Beloved by Toni Morrison or Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe will find this poignant and groundbreaking novel compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1180L