Clotel · Character
Clotel
A quadroon beauty rumored to be Thomas Jefferson's daughter, she loves, loses, and schemes her way toward freedom while shielding her child and her rival from grief.
major
Also known as Miss Clotel, poor Clotel, Clotel The
First appearance: Clotel
As a major figure in Clotel, Clotel is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The protagonist, a beautiful and educated slave woman, daughter of Thomas Jefferson, who experiences love, betrayal, and a tragic end.
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Clotel is a fair-skinned enslaved woman whose beauty and near-white complexion let her pass as a free lady, a fact she turns into a weapon when she disguises herself as the invalid Mr. Johnson and books passage north.
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Clotel sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Clotel in ClotelCharacter Web
22 connectionsA slice of how Clotel sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Romantic
- Psychological
- Friendship
- Other
Character groups
- Protagonist
- Abolitionist allies
- Diverse supporting characters
+17 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- 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 readingRelationships
- Horatio Green
romantic · negative
Clotel and Horatio are lovers, with Horatio being the father of Clotel's child, though… How this plays out →
- William Wells Brown
psychological · ambivalent
- Georgiana Carlton
friendship · positive
- Mr. Green
rivalry · negative
- William Wells Brown
psychological · ambivalent
- Horatio Green
romantic · negative
Clotel and Horatio are lovers, with Horatio being the father of Clotel's child, though… How this plays out →
- Georgiana Carlton
friendship · positive
- Horatio Green
romantic · negative
Clotel and Horatio are lovers, with Horatio being the father of Clotel's child, though… How this plays out →
- William Wells Brown
psychological · ambivalent
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Clotel in ClotelIn the story
Clotel appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
- Clotel
- I: The Negro Sale
- Going to the South
- The Quadroon’s Home
- VIII: The Separation
- XV: Today a Mistress, Tomorrow a Slave
- Retaliation
- XIX: Escape of Clotel
- +4 more
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Clotel unlock in the free preview.
See Clotel in Clotel