Sympathetic Characters in The Woman of Colour

The Woman of Colour, an epistolary novel told from the perspective of its biracial protagonist Olivia Fairfield, provides us with an interesting look at the racial politics of early 19th century England.  Born to a wealthy slaveowner and slave, and yet raised by her father and governess in Jamaica, Olivia grows up in undoubtedly unusual circumstances.  Her unique upbringing affords her a more comprehensive understanding of slavery and the treatment of blackness, and while she is certainly aware of the prejudices against her and the ridiculousness of the people she meets in England, she really isn't defiant or noticeably offended by them.  She seems to play the role of dutiful woman just as Geraldine does in Desmond.  While her descriptions of the more outlandish figures are quite perceptive and comical, perhaps because these characters are rooted in such obvious prejudice, I found the people she speaks more highly of (most noticeably her father, Mrs. Honeywood, and Augustus) particularly interesting because even these 'likable' characters appear driven by unshakeable biases.

Though Olivia recognizes her father's prejudices toward her mother and the vulnerability of his will, she forgives and obeys him, portraying him quite sympathetically to Mrs. Milbanke.  She is unquestionably loyal to him, for when she does lament having to leave Jamaica, she checks "these useless interrogatories, these vain regrets, by recollecting that it was the will of him who always studied the happiness of his child" (53).  He is painted out to be the benevolent master figure, and after purchasing Marcia, Olivia's mother, "his kindness, his familiarity, his humanity, soon gained him an interest in her grateful heart" (54).  After she becomes Christianized and learns of the sins she and Mr. Fairfield have committed, she quickly points out his hypocrisy, since he, "who, educated under the influence of the Gospel, lived in direct opposition to its laws!" (54).  Though Olivia becomes increasingly upset at the condition of slaves in Jamaica, her father, on his deathbed, "could not adopt a line of conduct which would draw on him the odium of all his countrymen: he contented himself, therefore, with seeing that slaves on his estate were well kept and fed, and treated with humanity, but their minds were suffered to remain in the dormant state in which he found them" (55).  He refuses to marry Marcia for similar reasons, for while "he loved Marcia with fervour... the pride of the man, the quick feeling of the European, the prejudices which he had imbibed in common with his countrymen, forbade his making this affectionate and heroic girl his wife" (55).  Despite his love for Olivia and her mother, Mr. Fairfield distances himself from them in order to preserve his own reputation.

Mrs. Honeywood too becomes a sympathetically portrayed, yet inherently prejudiced character that Olivia cares for deeply.  She is familiar with Mr. Fairfield's will, "and frequently and studiously refers to [it]," although it seems as though "she sometimes wished to remind her son of this; and yet there is nothing to fear for him.  An unportioned girl of [Olivia's] colour, can never be a dangerous object" (56).  While Mrs. Honeywood and Olivia get along nicely, Mrs. Honeywood seems quite fearful of her son taking a romantic interest in Olivia, especially "in the habits of intimacy which [their] present situation naturally produces" (56).  Later on she offensively imitates Dido, saying how she "would give something to be able to take dat brush and dat bit of paper...and paint your lady and yourself" (57). And she frequently mortifies Olivia about her upcoming betrothal, saying how "the manners, the customs of different countries are so widely different, and there ought to be so many corresponding traits of character, to form any thing like comfort in the connubial state, that it is [her] wonder when any one of these matches turns out merely tolerable" (58).  Mrs. Honeywood views Olivia's blackness as something that could be potentially repulsing for her betrothed (something that later turns out to be true).  However she respects Olivia's virtue, telling her that "no one could [refuse her], who knew her," (60) implying that her character alone will earn her a husband.     

Augustus' relationship with Olivia seems to be a little more complicated and shrouded in an as of yet unsolved mystery concerning his deceased love.  We learn through his letter that upon first encountering Olivia he "started back with a momentary feeling nearly allied to disgust; for [he] beheld a skin approaching to the hue of a negro's, in the woman whom [his] father introduced to [him] as [his] intended wife" (102).  However, like Mrs. Honeywood, Augustus admires and respects her character, despite his recurring melancholy and initial detachment.  While he is a dutiful and benevolent husband, I think it is worth discussing his character more fully in class since I am not sure how I feel about him, especially since Olivia blames all of his unhappiness and despondency on herself.   

Ultimately, the only character in the novel who doesn't seem to view Olivia with disgust or as a curiosity is Mrs. Honeywood's son, who I anticipate will make a reappearance later on in the novel.  While Olivia judges and criticizes, although fairly lightheartedly, those who are openly ignorant and prejudiced, she is more sympathetic towards the characters who, despite their flaws, try to overcome a way of thinking that has become ingrained in the culture.  

As I was looking up the painting from the front of the novel I noticed that the woman depicted was not only real, her name is Dido Elizabeth Belle, but has an interesting life story that is quite comparable to Olivia's.  There are even a few film adaptations about her.  Here is a link to the Wikipedia page.


Discussion Questions:

Coming into the novel with a 21st century perspective, how are we to judge or interpret the actions and beliefs of these more sympathetic characters? 

Likewise, how are we to understand Olivia's favorable, or at least tolerant, opinions of these characters, especially considering that of all the people in the novel Olivia is most critical of herself?