# Color Prejudice and Caste in Clotel

> Theme guide for Clotel by William Wells Brown.

The book illustrates internalized racism among enslaved people and the broader societal prejudice that privileges lighter skin, creating a destructive caste system even within the oppressed community.

## Where it surfaces

- [Retaliation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clotel_se/chapters/xvii-retaliation): Mary's fair skin provokes prejudice from both her mistress and fellow slaves, leading to deliberate darkening to enforce racial hierarchy.
- [XIX: Escape of Clotel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clotel_se/chapters/xix-escape-of-clotel): William faces discrimination on the train, being forced into the luggage van and charged a reduced fare, illustrating the pervasive prejudice against blacks even in free states.
- [The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clotel_se/chapters/xxvi-the-escape): George's white appearance makes his enslavement more intolerable and leads to harsher treatment to enforce his slave identity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clotel_se/themes/color_prejudice_and_caste
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clotel_se/themes