[George*tries to regain his gun;Wahnoteerefuses to give it up;Paul,quietly takes it from him and remonstrates with him.*]. "Ma'am," says I, "the apparatus can't mistake." Dido. Scud. [M'Closky*lowers his hand. but the deed that freed you was not lawful. Pete. Mrs. Pey. What am goin' to cum ob us! Look at 'em, Jacob, for they are honest water from the well of truth. Dora. "A fine, well-built old family mansion, replete with every comfort.". Mrs. Claiborne Miss Clinton. It ain't our sile, I believe, rightly; but Nature has said that where the white man sets his foot, the red man and the black man shall up sticks and stand around. Point. [Exit slowly, as if concealing himself,R.U.E. George. My home, my home! [*Exit*Mrs. Peyton*and*George,L.U.E.] A slave! It is an adaptation of Dion Boucicault's The Octoroon , which premiered in 1859. Git away dere! [Aside.] Mrs. P.Ah! Could you see the roots of my hair you would see the same dark, fatal mark. It ain't no use now; you got to gib it up! Scud. M'Closky. Then I shall never leave Terrebonne---the drink, nurse; the drink; that I may never leave my home---my dear, dear home. I ain't no count, sar. No, it ain't; because, just then, what does the judge do, but hire another overseer---a Yankee---a Yankee named Salem Scudder. Dear Dora, try to understand it with your heart. but her image will pass away like a little cloud that obscured your happiness a while---you will love each other; you are both too good not to join your hearts. Stop! So I came here to you; to you, my own dear nurse; to you, who so often hushed me to sleep when I was a child; who dried my eyes and put your little Zoe to rest. Zoe. Mas'r George---ah, no, sar---don't buy me---keep your money for some udder dat is to be sold. Your eyes are red. Scud. Pete, as you came here, did you pass Paul and the Indian with the letter-bags? If it was the ghost of that murdered boy haunting me! In a little time this darned business will blow over, and I can show again. Mrs. P.[Embracing him.] Lynch him! Brightness will return amongst you. Jacob McClosky, the man who ruined Judge Peyton, has come to inform George and his aunt (who was bequeathed a life interest in the estate) that their land will be sold and their slaves auctioned off separately. Pete. You're trembling so, you'll fall down directly. M'Closky. Don't you know that she is the natural daughter of the judge, your uncle, and that old lady thar just adored anything her husband cared for; and this girl, that another woman would a hated, she loves as if she'd been her own child. If you bid me do so I will obey you---. [*Enter*George,C.] Ah! We must excuse Scudder, friends. laws a massey! At college they said I was a fool---I must be. Enjoy the best Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Quotes at BrainyQuote. Paul. George. M'Closky. Stay, Mr. Peyton; Zoe, a word! Dora. O, Mr. Scudder! I'd give half the balance of my life to wipe out my part of the work. Wahnotee tracks him down and confronts him; in the ensuing struggle, Wahnotee kills McClosky. Scud. Lafouche. I love one who is here, and he loves me---George. yes, plenty of 'em; bill of costs; account with Citizens' Bank---what's this? Poor Injiun lub our little Paul. Fellow-citizens, you are convened and assembled here under a higher power than the law. [*With-draws slide, turns and sees*Paul.] Point. [*Goes*L.] Paul reste el! Hush! It's not a painful death, aunty, is it? [Opens desk.] You killed the boy to steal this letter from the mail-bags---you stole this letter, that the money should not arrive in time to save the Octoroon; had it done so, the lien on the estate would have ceased, and Zoe be free. [R. C.] Pardon me, madam, but do you know these papers? Ya! Jacobs-Jenkins reframes Boucicault's play using its original characters and plot, speaking much of Boucicault's dialogue, and critiques its portrayal of race using Brechtian devices. Yes, for you, for me, for dem little ones, dem folks cried. Scudder. You can't control everything in life Gemma Burgess, Never had he beheld such a magnificent brown skin, so entrancing a figure, such dainty, transparent fingers. Hold on now, Jacob; we've got to figure on that---let us look straight at the thing. Go on, Pete, you've waked up the Christian here, and the old hoss responds. Job had none of them critters on his plantation, else he'd never ha' stood through so many chapters. Deborah Blake, I don't think you get to good writing unless you expose yourself and your feelings. We tender food to a stranger, not because he is a gentleman, but because he is hungry. M'Closky. I am his love---he loves an Octoroon. The injiun! Fifteen thousand bid for the Octoroon. I'll clear him off there---he'll never know what stunned him. He's yours, Mr. George Peyton. But how pale she looks, and she trembles so. M'Closky. Scud. Make an argument for each side of the slavery argument here, analyzing how the play could be read as both anti- and pro-slavery. Be the first to contribute! Look there, jurymen. Hee! Alas! Twelve thousand. One of them is prepared with a self-developing liquid that I've invented. Mrs. P.Poor child! Ha, ha! Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Quotes submission guide. I only come back to find Wahnotee; whar is dat ign'ant Ingiun? How came they in your possession? Boucicault's manuscript actually reads "Indian, French and 'Merican." Poor little Paul---poor little nigger! [Stands with his hand extended towards the house, and tableau.]. Work! Scud. Ah! this is worth taking to---in this desk the judge used to keep one paper I want---this should be it. [Takes them.] [Outside,R.U.E.] Dis way---dis way. [*ExitM'Closkyand*Pointdexter,R.U.E. Scud. Zoe. The Steamer floats on at back, burning. Look there. He said so---then I rose up, and stole from the house, and ran down to the bayou; but its cold, black, silent stream terrified me---drowning must be so horrible a death. Dido. [L.] Yelping hound---take that. M'Closkyruns off,L.1. I will! M'Closky. Cum, for de pride of de family, let every darky look his best for the judge's sake---dat ole man so good to us, and dat ole woman---so dem strangers from New Orleans shall say, Dem's happy darkies, dem's a fine set of niggars; every one say when he's sold, "Lor' bless dis yer family I'm gwine out of, and send me as good a home.". Hold quiet, you trash o' niggers! Thar's Miss Dora---that girl's in love with you; yes, sir, her eyes are startin' out of her head with it; now her fortune would redeem a good part of this estate. Lafouche. What a find! D'ye hear it---nearer---nearer---ah! Zoe. Are you ready? When she goes along, she just leaves a streak of love behind her. It is in the hearts of brave men, who can tell right from wrong, and from whom justice can't be bought. O, Miss Zoe, why you ask ole Dido for dis pizen? I'm broke, Solon---I can't stop the Judge. If Omenee remain, Wahnotee will die in Terrebonne. Scud. Hark! Forgive him, Dora; for he knew no better until I told him. Evidence! M'Closky. Zoe. No, the love I speak of is not such as you suppose,---it is a passion that has grown up here since I arrived; but it is a hopeless, mad, wild feeling, that must perish. Mr. Peyton! Paul's best friend, the Indian Wahnotee, discovers Paul's body; he can speak only poor English, however, and is unable to communicate the tragedy to anyone else. Pete. McClosky desires Zoe for himself, and when she rejects his proposition, he plots to have her sold with the rest of the slaves, for he knows that she is an octoroon and is legally part of the Terrebonne property. *] What a good creature she is. Good day, ma'am. Mrs. P.Yes, there is a hope left yet, and I cling to it. Paul! George, you cannot marry me; the laws forbid it! Essay Topics. Dora. It is such scenes as these that bring disgrace upon our Western life. Scud. He and his apparatus arrived here, took the judge's likeness and his fancy, who made him overseer right off. Take your hand down---take it down. Top a bit! what are you doing there, you young varmint! Salem's looking a kinder hollowed out. Scud. Point. O, law, sir, dat debil Closky, he tore hisself from de gen'lam, knock me down, take my light, and trows it on de turpentine barrels, and de shed's all afire! Jackson, I want to get to Ophelensis to-night. M'Closky. Bless'ee, Missey Zoe, here it be. But what do we pay for that possession? George. All Rights Reserved. I can't introduce any darned improvement there. Sunny. No; but you, aunty, you are wise---you know every plant, don't you, and what it is good for? O, dear Zoe, is he in love with anybody? What's he doing; is he asleep? Mrs. P.So, Pete, you are spoiling those children as usual! You heard him say it was hopeless. Dora. Scud. Synopsis. Burn! Zoe. Do you mean that I'm a pig? yonder goes the Indian! Don't do nuffin. Mrs. Peyton, George Peyton, Terrebonne is yours. George. Zoe, you are young; your mirror must have told you that you are beautiful. The world, Zoe, the free struggle of minds and hands, if before me; the education bestowed on me by my dear uncle is a noble heritage which no sheriff can seize; with that I can build up a fortune, spread a roof over the heads I love, and place before them the food I have earned; I will work---. In comparison, a quadroon would have one quarter African ancestry and a mulatto for the most part has historically implied half African ancestry. for me---look ye here! You are illegitimate, but love knows no prejudice. Mrs. P.Read, George. Ugh! Stan' back, I say I I'll nip the first that lays a finger on Him. Scud. O, laws-a-mussey, see dis; here's a pictur' I found stickin' in that yar telescope machine, sar! Good morning, Mr. Sunnyside; Miss Dora, your servant. Ho! Lafouche. *EnterPete, Grace, Minnie, Solon, Dido,and all*Niggers,R.U.E. Pete. Pete. Their presence keeps alive the reproach against me that I ruined them; yet, if this money should come. None o' ye ign'rant niggars could cry for yerselves like dat. "Ma'am, your nose drawed it. Copyright 2023 Famous Quotes & Sayings. Mr. Sunnyside, I can't do this job of showin' round the folks; my stomach goes agin it. [Scudder*takes out watch.*]. Poor little Paul! Paul. Well, ma'am, I spose there's no law agin my bidding for it. Zoe. ], [Gets in canoe and rows off,L.---Wahnotee*paddles canoe on,*R.---gets out and finds trail---paddles off after him,L.]. You be darned! Pointdexter*mounts the table with his hammer, his Clerk sits at his feet. Whar's breakfass? Hold on, you'll see. You gib me rattan, Mas'r Clostry, but I guess you take a berry long stick to Wahnotee; ugh, he make bacon of you. I shall never understand how to wound the feelings of any lady; and, if that is the custom here, I shall never acquire it. what will become of her when I am gone? What's the law? Scud. [Raises hand to back of his neck.] And what shall I say? [2] Among antebellum melodramas, it was considered second in popularity only to Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852).[3]. M'Closky. Ain't he! You see dat hole in dar, sar. Wahnotee appears, drunk and sorrowful, and tells them that Paul is buried near them. Daisaku Ikeda Culture is like the current of the ocean. Sunny. His greatest successes however, were on London's stages. And our mother, she who from infancy treated me with such fondness, she who, as you said, had most reason to spurn me, can she forget what I am? No! Here's a pictur' for a civilized community to afford; yonder, a poor, ignorant savage, and round him a circle of hearts, white with revenge and hate, thirsting for his blood; you call yourselves judges---you ain't---you're a jury of executioners. Pete. Scud. What! Ratts. He's yours, Captain Ratts, Magnolia steamer. I have it. George. Pete. [] If she ain't worth her weight in sunshine, you may take one of my fingers off, and choose which you like." (Act I, Scene 1, Page 24) This business goes agin me, Ratts---'tain't right. Pete Hamill, The darkest moments for me weren't necessarily winding up in the hospital or anything like that. Get out, you cub! The Wharf---goods, boxes, and bales scattered about---a camera on stand, R. Scudder, R., Dora, L., George*andPauldiscovered;Dorabeing photographed byScudder,who is arranging photographic apparatus,GeorgeandPaullooking on at back.*. Ratts. Will you hush? You wanted to come to an understanding, and I'm coming thar as quick as I can. The more bidders, the better for you. It's no use you putting on airs; I ain't gwine to sit up wid you all night and you drunk. I hope it will turn out better than most of my notions. "The free papers of my daughter, Zoe, registered February 4th, 1841." All. [Wahnotee*runs on, pulls down apron---seesPaul,lying on ground--- speaks to him---thinks he's shamming sleep---gesticulates and jabbers--- goes to him---moves him with feet, then kneels down to rouse him---to his horror finds him dead---expresses great grief---raises his eyes--- they fall upon the camera---rises with savage growl, seizes tomahawk and smashes camera to pieces, then goes toPaul---expresses grief, sorrow, and fondness, and takes him in his arms to carry him away.--- Tableau.*]. He calls me Omenee, the Pigeon, and Miss Zoe is Ninemoosha, the Sweetheart. It wants an hour yet to daylight---here is Pete's hut---[Knocks.] Seize him, then! Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. Go on, Colonel. Mr. M'Closky has bid twenty-five thousand dollars for the Octoroon. I don't care, they were blue this morning, but it don't signify now. I shrunk from it and fled. Wahnotee. "Whar's Paul?" Hold on, Jacob, I'm coming to that---I tell ye, I'm such a fool---I can't bear the feeling, it keeps at me like a skin complaint, and if this family is sold up---. Come on, Pete, we shan't reach the house before midday. M'Closky. The earth has been stirred here lately. What's de charge, Mas'r Scudder? must I learn from these poor wretches how much I owed, how I ought to pay the debt? Guess it kill a dozen---nebber try. There are no witnesses but a rum bottle and an old machine. Scud. Am I late? Come, form a court then, choose a jury---we'll fix this varmin. We have known each other but a few days, but to me those days have been worth all the rest of my life. Now, I feel bad about my share in the business. forgive your poor child. Scud. Come, Miss Dora, let me offer you my arm. He said I want a nigger. Well, what d'ye say, Lafouche---d'ye smile? That part of it all is performance for the media. [Minnie runs off.] ah! What more d'ye want---ain't that proof enough? George. Scud. Zoe. The sheriff from New Orleans has taken possession---Terrebonne is in the hands of the law. The Oxford English Dictionary cites The Octoroon with the earliest record of the word "mashup" with the quote: "He don't understand; he speaks a mash up of Indian, French, and Mexican." Paul. I never killed a man in my life---and civilization is so strong in me I guess I couldn't do it---I'd like to, though! As I swam down, I thought I heard something in the water, as if pursuing me---one of them darned alligators, I suppose---they swarm hereabout---may they crunch every limb of ye! This is folly, Dora. Pete. It is certain, madam; the judge was negligent, and doubtless forgot this small formality. Because, Miss Sunnyside, I have not learned to lie. Mrs. P.The child was a favorite of the judge, who encouraged his gambols. In cash? Dar, do ye hear dat, ye mis'able darkies, dem gals is worth a boat load of kinder men dem is. What! "But, mister, that ain't my nose." "But, sir, it ain't agreeable." why were you not my son---you are so like my dear husband. The Octoroon was a controversial play on both sides of the slavery debate when it debuted, as both abolitionists and pro-slavery advocates believed the play took the other camp's side. Dat's de laziest nigger on dis yere property. Why, Minnie, why don't you run when you hear, you lazy crittur? EnterLafoucheand*Jackson,L. Jackson. The Judge is a little deaf. Look in my eyes; is not the same color in the white? my dear, dear father! Point. Adam had a job, a place to live, and food that he could provide for his woman. Let her pass! Scud. Guess that you didn't leave anything female in Europe that can lift an eyelash beside that gal. 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