← All characters

Clotel · Character

Althesa

Clotel's sister, sold into bondage yet determined to build a life of dignity with the doctor who loves her.

supporting

Also known as poor Althesa, Poor Althesa, The good and generous Althesa

First appearance: XIV: A Free Woman Reduced to Slavery

As a supporting figure in Clotel, Althesa is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Clotel's sister, who is also sold and later purchased by Henry Morton.
In the storyClotelOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In Clotel: Clotel's sister, who is also sold and later purchased by Henry Morton. Later, in I: The Negro Sale: Younger sister of Clotel,…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Althesa sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Althesa in XIV: A Free Woman Reduced to Slavery

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Althesa sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

HMHenry MortonCUCurrerMPMr. PeckSCShakespeare Cr…MCMr. CarltonALAlthesa

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Sold and separated family
  • Abolitionist allies
  • Diverse supporting characters

+8 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point

In this conclusion, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrator shifts from personal testimony…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Althesa appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Althesa unlock in the free preview.

See Althesa in XIV: A Free Woman Reduced to Slavery
Who is Althesa in Clotel?