Clotel · Character

Mr. Carlton

A wealthy slaveholder whose buried past with Clotel resurfaces when his young wife glimpses the child he cannot acknowledge.

supporting

Also known as Carlton, Mrs. Carlton, Mr. and Mrs. Carlton, Miles Carlton, the Parson Carlton

First appearance: iv the quadroon s home

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

Visitor from Connecticut who debates slavery and attends the plantation sermon.

In the storyThe Religious TeacherOpen this moment free

See Mr. Carlton in The Religious Teacher Book page

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

With Mr. Green (social): Mr. Carlton and Mr. Green are likely acquaintances or fellow slaveholders, interacting in social or business contexts. With Georgiana Carlton (family): Mr. Carlton is Georgiana's father, and their relationship involves paternal authority and affection. With William Wells Brown (social): Mr. Carlton and William Wells Brown are likely acquaintances, with Brown documenting Carlton's role in the slave system.

Continue beside the text

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

See Mr. Carlton in iv the quadroon s home

Character Web

22 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Family
Other

Character groups

Abolitionist allies
Slaveholders and enforcers
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

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.

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Relationships

Mr. Green
social · ambivalent
Georgiana Carlton
family · positive
William Wells Brown
social · ambivalent
Mr. Green
social · ambivalent
William Wells Brown
social · ambivalent
Georgiana Carlton
family · positive
Mr. Green
social · ambivalent

Mr. Green
Mr. Carlton and Mr. Green are likely acquaintances or fellow slaveholders, interacting in social or business contexts.
Georgiana Carlton
Mr. Carlton is Georgiana's father, and their relationship involves paternal authority and affection.
William Wells Brown
Mr. Carlton and William Wells Brown are likely acquaintances, with Brown documenting Carlton's role in the slave system.
Mr. Green
Mr. Carlton and Mr. Green are likely acquaintances or fellow slaveholders, interacting in social or business contexts.
William Wells Brown
Mr. Carlton and William Wells Brown are likely acquaintances, with Brown documenting Carlton's role in the slave system.
Georgiana Carlton
Mr. Carlton is Georgiana's father, and their relationship involves paternal authority and affection.
Mr. Green
Mr. Carlton and Mr. Green are likely acquaintances or fellow slaveholders, interacting in social or business contexts.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mr. Carlton in iv the quadroon s home

In the story

Mr. Carlton appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Religious Teacher
Visitor from Connecticut who debates slavery and attends the plantation sermon.
VII: The Poor Whites, South
Visitor from the North; engages in conversation with Snyder and Huckelby about the poor whites and slavery.
IX: The Man of Honour
James Crawford, the purchaser of Althesa, from Vermont; initially opposed to slavery but persuaded by his wife.
X: The Young Christian
A freethinking young man who is converted by Georgiana's reasoning and becomes a believer.
XI: The Parson Poet
A Northern visitor staying with Mr. Peck, increasingly disturbed by slavery's realities, including advertisements for slaves for dissection.
A Slave Hunting Parson
Visits Jones's plantation, attempts to preach to the slaves, and learns about Mr. Peck's slave hunting.
Death of the Parson
Remains with Georgiana after Peck's death; initially shocked by Sam's deceptive behavior but comes to understand the systemic deception of slavery.
XVIII: The Liberator
Marries Georgiana and becomes her partner in reforming the plantation, advocating for the slaves' rights and debating the merits of sending them to Liberia.
XXI: The Christian’s Death
Grieves his wife's death; converted from infidelity to Christianity and practical freedom.
Truth Stranger Than Fiction
James Morton, brother of Henry, arrives in New Orleans to settle the estate and is horrified to learn his nieces are slaves; he tries to save them but fails.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Mr. Carlton in iv the quadroon s home

See Mr. Carlton in The Religious Teacher