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The Wedding Gift


Based on real events, in which a man gifts his black daughter to his white ...
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How are Charles and Cornelius very different but also very similar?

Created: 09/29/13

Replies: 2

Posted Sep. 29, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Windsong

Join Date: 05/07/13

Posts: 105

How are Charles and Cornelius very different but also very similar?

I reread parts of the book by reading it according to the speaker's chapters. So much was written online about the shocking ending regarding Clarissa's confession; however, I would like others opinions on Charles the brother of Cornelius. Since he owned Isaac, he did have the legal right to sell him out of state. I realize that Isaac was publicly whipped because he was a returned runaway, but why do you think Charles simply decided to sell him out of the state. Most slaves would have been hung for glancing at a white woman. Mrs. Cromwell made Clarissa "turn the baby around" so she could see his face. It was obvious that he did not look like a Caucasian baby. The contents of the second paragraph in the letter from Mr. Cromwell to Cornelius is not revealed so we don't know what he claimed that Clarissa did that caused Theodora to collapse to the floor when she read it. Do you feel satisfied with the role of Charles and his treatment of Isaac at the end? What do you believe prompted Cornelius's granting freedom to the house slaves?


Posted Sep. 30, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karenrn

Join Date: 08/29/13

Posts: 102

RE: How are Charles and Cornelius very different but also very similar?

I wondered if Charles sold Isaac instead of having him killed because Isaac was his son. I thought Cornelius freed the house slaves because he loved Sarahs mom.


Posted Sep. 30, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Windsong

Join Date: 05/07/13

Posts: 105

RE: How are Charles and Cornelius very different but also very similar?

I think you are correct. It wasn't until I read parts of the book again that I decided that Cornelius and Charles were very much alike in their treatment of the slaves. Still accepting Charles' nonchalant attitude about Isaac's role in the demise of Clarissa's reputation is hard to do. I wish the author had revealed later on what was in the second paragraph of the letter to Cornelius. Maybe premarital sex would have shocked Theodora but having a biracial grandson would have been a bigger blow. Do you think that is why she left him in the orphanage although she said she would play a large part in his life? She seemed to change too in the fact that she didn't care about the neighbor's gossip regarding Kenneth staying overnight. Thanks for your comments.


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