Dessa Rose
Encyclopedia
Dessa Rose is a novel by Sherley Anne Williams
published in 1986. The book is a Neo-slave narrative, incorporating many elements of traditional slave narratives. The book is divided into three sections: The Darky, The Wench and The Negress. The sections represent a different stage of growth in the life of the protagonist, Odessa "Dessa" Rose.
. Captured along with many of her fellow runaways, Dessa's execution was postponed until the birth of her child. Shortly before giving birth, three men appear at night and rescue her. The four travel to a small plantation in Sutton
managed by Ruth Elizabeth. Her husband had departed on a business trip several years ago and never returned. The slaves took off and Mrs. Rufel (as everyone calls her) began harboring runaway slaves to replace them.
The fugitives devise a plan to free themselves. Mrs. Rufel must sell the slaves during the day, then pick them back up at night; cheating the buyers out of their money. When the small band has accumulated enough money, the slaves will flee west.
The novel was written as a response to William Styron
's Confessions of Nat Turner. The white man assuming the voice of an African American man enraged the black community. In Dessa Rose, Sherley Anne Williams, a black woman takes the voice of a white woman.
Sherley Anne Williams
Sherley Anne Williams was born in Bakersfield, California and was an African-American poet. Many of her works tell stories about her life in the African-American community. When she was little her family picked cotton in order to get money. At the age of eight her father died of tuberculosis and...
published in 1986. The book is a Neo-slave narrative, incorporating many elements of traditional slave narratives. The book is divided into three sections: The Darky, The Wench and The Negress. The sections represent a different stage of growth in the life of the protagonist, Odessa "Dessa" Rose.
Plot summary
The book begins with Odessa Rose, a pregnant slave fugitive in a prison cell in Marenga County, AlabamaAlabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. Captured along with many of her fellow runaways, Dessa's execution was postponed until the birth of her child. Shortly before giving birth, three men appear at night and rescue her. The four travel to a small plantation in Sutton
Sutton
-Places:Sutton, meaning 'south settlement' in Old English, is a very common place name. Places named Sutton include:-United Kingdom:In London:* London Borough of Sutton** which includes Sutton, London** historically Sutton Urban District...
managed by Ruth Elizabeth. Her husband had departed on a business trip several years ago and never returned. The slaves took off and Mrs. Rufel (as everyone calls her) began harboring runaway slaves to replace them.
The fugitives devise a plan to free themselves. Mrs. Rufel must sell the slaves during the day, then pick them back up at night; cheating the buyers out of their money. When the small band has accumulated enough money, the slaves will flee west.
Historical context
The book is based on two historical incidents. In 1829 a pregnant slave woman led a revolt against slave traders, and in 1830 a white woman had a habit of taking in runaway slaves. The book combines the two stories, with the two women meeting and forming a plan to free the runaways.The novel was written as a response to William Styron
William Styron
William Clark Styron, Jr. was an American novelist and essayist who won major literary awards for his work.For much of his career, Styron was best known for his novels, which included...
's Confessions of Nat Turner. The white man assuming the voice of an African American man enraged the black community. In Dessa Rose, Sherley Anne Williams, a black woman takes the voice of a white woman.