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The Plantation Mistress: A Gripping Tale of Power and Complicity in the Antebellum South

T.S. Eliot

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The Plantation Mistress

by Catherine Clinton

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1302 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	331 pages

A Young Woman In A White Dress Stands In Front Of A Large Plantation House. The Plantation Mistress Catherine Clinton

In her groundbreaking book, The Plantation Mistress, Catherine Clinton tells the story of Fanny Kemble, a young English actress who married a wealthy plantation owner in the American South. Fanny's experiences as a plantation mistress provide a unique window into the complex and often contradictory world of the antebellum South.

Fanny Kemble was born into a wealthy and prominent family in England. She began her acting career at a young age, and quickly became one of the most popular actresses in the country. In 1834, she married Pierce Butler, a wealthy plantation owner from South Carolina. Fanny and Pierce moved to Butler's plantation, Butler Island, where Fanny was expected to fulfill the traditional role of the plantation mistress.

Fanny was horrified by the conditions on the plantation. She witnessed firsthand the brutality of slavery, and she found it difficult to reconcile her own beliefs with the institution of slavery. Fanny's experiences on Butler Island led her to become an outspoken critic of slavery. She wrote a book about her experiences, which was published in 1863 and caused a sensation. Fanny's book helped to shape public opinion on slavery, and it played a role in the growing movement to abolish slavery.

Catherine Clinton's The Plantation Mistress is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that sheds new light on the history of the American South. Clinton's vivid prose and meticulous research bring to life the complex and often contradictory world of the antebellum plantation. The Plantation Mistress is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the American South, and it is a valuable contribution to the literature on slavery.

The Plantation Mistress

by Catherine Clinton

4.5 out of 5