Slavery was one of the darkest institutions mankind has forced on itself, torturing fellow humans and creating monsters out of regular people. The worst effect slavery had was in the dehumanization of both slaveholders and slaves. Authors used gothic conventions to highlight the horrors of slavery, particularly the dehumanization of all those involved. “The Mulatto” is a prime example of the use of gothic conventions, using techniques like the spirit of perverseness, dark imagery, and distortion of nature.
Victor Sejour wrote “The Mulatto” as an illustration of the horrors of slavery and to urge those in power to make changes on behalf of the slaves. He shows the spirit of perverseness that pervades the institution of slavery by showing the twisted nature that slavery brings out in humanity. The old man’s introduction to the story acts as context for the distortion of humanity that slavery causes, saying “What, then, can you expect him to become? Shall he smash his skull against the paving stones? Shall he kill his torturer? Or do you believe the human heart can find a way to bear such misfortune?” (Sejour, 1) The old man makes the reader consider, right away, that slavery places a burdenHe claims that the very act of slavery twists a man’s natural goodness, forcing him to relish in perverse acts. Even the innocent are affected by the gothic idea of the spirit of perverseness, shown in the children’s enjoyment of Zelia’s imminent hanging. “‘Won’t that be fine, to see her pirouetting between earth and sky.’” (Sejour 8) The spirit of perverseness, enjoying morbid acts, permeates the natures of all involved in the institution of slavery.
This morbid attitude and the spirit of perverseness is brought out in Sejour’s particularly dark language, a hallmark of gothic literature. There is repeated imagery of a fierce tiger, compared to the danger of an angry slave at the throat of his master. “…two burning eyes that possessed all the ferocity of a tiger preparing to tear its prey to pieces.” (Sejour 12) Alfred is described as having “hideous, frightful dreams” (Sejour 8) about Georges exacting his revenge for his wife’s death, another classic of gothic literature. Sejour uses deathly imagery to emphasize the seriousness of the situations his characters find themselves in, and forces the reader to be aware of the horrific ease with which people died or lost their loved ones. Georges voice is described very creepily: “...a voice that seemed to emerge from the tomb.” (Sejour 7) “..said the mulatto with an infernal laugh.” (Sejour 7) The language of “The Mulatto” is used to define the morbid and disturbing qualities of slavery.
More than anything, “The Mulatto” shows the disturbing distortion of nature that occurs when humans partake in slavery. Sejour conveys strongly the twisting of humanity that affects both sides, the master and the slave. The slave has his manhood and sense of personhood robbed from him, taking away his morality as he becomes a brute in the system. Georges is a good man who is driven to do horrible things by the circumstances that slavery pushes on him. “...God may grant him a great and loyal soul; but despite all that, he often goes to his grave with bloodstained hands, and a heart hungering after yet more vengeance.” (Sejour 1) Georges in particular is a brave man, defending his master from thieves who come to kill him, and a loving man, loyal to his wife and caring for his child after his wife dies. Slavery forces him into a state of undeniable rage that loses him his sense of self. The master likewise loses his sense of humanity in his depraved behavior towards those he “owns.” Alfred is described as being “A decent man, humane and loyal with his equals; but you can be certain he was a hard, cruel man towards his slaves.” (Sejour 4) Alfred, like Georges, loves his wife and child, pleading for the life of his wife as Georges kills her. (Sejour 13) But the master loses his good nature and morality in the brutal way he treats Georges, Laisa, and Zelia. In buying into the convention of slavery, Alfred distorts his own humanity.
The stories of slavery are disturbing and incredibly inhumane, a perfect model for gothic literature and the horror genre. The main source of disgust is the factual base of these accounts, being genuine illustrations of cruelty perpetrated by humans against humans. The “true story” aspect of slavery accounts is yet another way they fit into the gothic tradition. “The Mulatto” is a classic example of gothic literature in its showcase of the spirit of perverseness, dark language, and twisting of humanity as demonstrated by slavery.