Family Destruction Under Slavery

Slavery systematically tears apart families, as seen through the forced separations of mothers from children, husbands from wives, and the denial of legal marriage for enslaved people.

The auction separates Currer from her daughters, and the narrative describes the routine separation of husbands and wives, and mothers from children.

Currer is sold away from her daughter Althesa, and Clotel is separated from her mother and sister without warning.

The sale separates families, as seen in the woman crying for her husband and Althesa's sorrow after leaving her mother.

Althesa's attempt to reunite with her mother Currer is thwarted by Mr. Peck's refusal to sell, underscoring the systemic destruction of enslaved families.