Top, sar! Pete. Now, what have you done to show them the distinction? How can you ask that vulgar ruffian to your table? Poor child! What was this here Scudder? My dear husband never kept any accounts, and we scarcely know in what condition the estate really is. Zoe. Was dat?---a cry out dar in de swamp---dar agin! Yes, we do, ma'am; it's in a darned bad condition. Pete. what a bright, gay creature she is! Point. Lafouche. George. Who is it? 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. When he speaks to one he does it so easy, so gentle; it isn't bar-room style; love lined with drinks, sighs tinged with tobacco---and they say all the women in Paris were in love with him, which I feelIshall be; stop fanning me; what nice boots he wears. This New York Times article cautions its readers against jumping to conclusions about Boucicault's intentions in the writing of the play and downplays . That's about right. [Takes out his knife. No other cause to hate---to envy me---to be jealous of me---eh? M'Closky. there it comes---it comes---don't you hear a footstep on the dry leaves? [C.] I'm sorry to intrude, but the business I came upon will excuse me. ", Zoe. That's a challenge to begin a description of my feminine adventures. O, here he is. As my wife,---the sharer of my hopes, my ambitions, and my sorrows; under the shelter of your love I could watch the storms of fortune pass unheeded by. When I am dead she will not be jealous of your love for me, no laws will stand between us. Zoe. Mrs. P.Ah! You made her life too happy, and now these tears will be. Dora. So it went, till one day the judge found the tap wouldn't run. George. My home, my home! Zoe. Wahnote*swims on---finds trail---follows him. Give us evidence. Irish - Dramatist December 26, 1822 - September 18, 1890. They are gone!---[*Glancing at*George.] Sharon Gannon. Farewell, Dora. Dido. Nebber mind, sar, we bring good news---it won't spile for de keeping. How are we sure the boy is dead at all? Denora Boone, Everybody who went to Vietnam carries his or her own version of the war. Zoe. You are illegitimate, but love knows no prejudice. It's no use you putting on airs; I ain't gwine to sit up wid you all night and you drunk. George says he can "overcome the obstacle" (43), but Zoe protests that they cannot be together. I have come to say good-by, sir; two hard words---so hard, they might break many a heart; mightn't they? "Whar's Paul?" Despite the happiness Zoe stands dying and the play ends with her death on the sitting-room couch and George kneeling beside her. M'Closky. It's soooo dark. Thib. 4, the Octoroon girl, Zoe.". Yes, I'm here, somewhere, interferin'. for, darn me, if I can find out. Zoe, will you remain here? Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them. [They rush onM'Closky,and disarm him.] Pete. Have I slept upon the benefits I received, and never saw, never felt, never knew that I was forgetful and ungrateful? Hello! Paul. In a word, I have seen and admired you! Paul. Grace. Look there, jurymen. Sunny. Beat that any of ye. George. O, Miss Zoe, why you ask ole Dido for dis pizen? M'Closky. [ExitPeteand all theNegroes,slowly,R.U.E. *Enter*Zoe[supposed to have overheard the last scene], L.U.E. Zoe. look sar! EnterZoe,L.U.E.,very pale, and stands on table.---M'Closkyhitherto has taken no interest in the sale, now turns his chair. [*To*Wahnotee.] Well when I say go, den lift dis rag like dis, see! Because, Miss Sunnyside, I have not learned to lie. I hate 'em. [M'Closky*strikes him on the head---he falls dead.*]. Zoe. Dora. M'Closky. O, why did he speak to me at all then? Missey Zoe! Lynch him! I didn't know whether they are completely honest. Zoe. George. An Octoroon is a play written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. 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---. We are catching fire forward; quick, set free from the shore. Come, form a court then, choose a jury---we'll fix this varmin. [ExitMrs. PeytonandSunnysideto house. New York, NY, Ages 12-17: Camp Broadway Ensemble @ Carnegie Hall Enjoy the best Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Quotes at BrainyQuote. By ten I was playing competitively. Never, aunt! The play was adapted by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins as An Octoroon in 2014. Scud. If I must die, give me up to the law; but save me from the tomahawk. Yonder is the boy---now is my time! Grace. Scud. [Inside room.] I am his love---he loves an Octoroon. 3, Pete, a house servant. Pete. 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. Put your hands on your naked breasts, and let every man as don't feel a real American heart there, bustin' up with freedom, truth, and right, let that man step out---that's the oath I put to ye---and then say, Darn ye, go it! M'Closky. Dear George, you now see what a miserable thing I am. You're a man as well as an auctioneer, ain't ye? Zoe, what have I said to wound you? *, M'Olosky. George is courted by the rich Southern belle heiress Dora Sunnyside, but he finds himself falling in love with Zoe, the daughter of his uncle through one of the slaves. George. George. [Scudder*takes out watch.*]. George. [*ExitScudderand*Mrs. Peyton,R.U.E. George. Don't say that, ma'am; don't say that to a man that loves another gal. O, I have not spoiled that anyhow. save me! Scud. Stop, Zoe; come here! [George*tries to regain his gun;Wahnoteerefuses to give it up;Paul,quietly takes it from him and remonstrates with him.*]. Scud. We must excuse Scudder, friends. I am free! Yes, I love you---I did not know it until your words showed me what has been in my heart; each of them awoke a new sense, and now I know how unhappy---how very unhappy I am. George still loves Zoe, telling her: "[T]his knowledge brings no revolt to my heart, and I . We'll hire out our slaves, and live on their wages. [Tableaux.]. Now, my culled brethren, gird up your lines, and listen---hold on yer bref---it's a comin. Let him answer for the boy, then. [Shouts heard,R.]. [Enters inner room,R.U.E.]. Stan' back, I say I I'll nip the first that lays a finger on Him. He loves me---what of that? Scene 2 is set in the Bayou, where M'Closky is asleep. Your birth---I know it. He can fight though he's a painter; claws all over. Why should I refer the blame to her? ], [Gets in canoe and rows off,L.---Wahnotee*paddles canoe on,*R.---gets out and finds trail---paddles off after him,L.]. But how pale she looks, and she trembles so. [Going.]. Art becomes art only when it's shared with others. Point. M'Closky. Mas'r Ratts, you hard him sing about de place where de good niggers go, de last time. George. No! 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. M'Closky. The auctioneer arrives, along with prospective buyers, McClosky among them. He's yours, Mr. George Peyton. Let me relate you the worst cases. Every word of it, Squire. If I was to try, I'd bust. Dido. why, clar out! [Seizing a fly whisk.] Terrebonne is yours. Dora. The tragic ending was used for American audiences, to avoid portraying a mixed marriage.[4]. [Stands with his hand extended towards the house, and tableau.]. [Draws revolver.] Dora. Point. O! Scud. Point. Dora. Pete. You begged me to call this morning. M'Closky. Now fix yourself. Dion Boucicault Quotes - BrainyQuote. Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. Scud. Pete, you old turkey-buzzard, saddle my mare. [Rushes onM'Closky---M'Closkydraws his knife.]. Zoe, the more I see of George Peyton the better I like him; but he is too modest---that is a very impertinent virtue in a man. George, dear George, do you love me? Dido. Stop, here's dem dishes---plates---dat's what he call 'em, all fix: I see Mas'r Scudder do it often---tink I can take likeness---stay dere, Wahnotee. M'Closky. It will cost me all I'm worth. Scud. You! We got the horses saddled, and galloped down the shell road over the Piney Patch; then coasting the Bayou Lake, we crossed the long swamps, by Paul's Path, and so came home again. In some form, human, or wild beast, or ghost, it has tracked me through the night. ya! Good morning, Mr. Sunnyside; Miss Dora, your servant. I bid seven thousand, which is the last dollar this family possesses. I will! I bring you news; your banker, old Lafouche, of New Orleans, is dead; the executors are winding up his affairs, and have foreclosed on all overdue mortgages, so Terrebonne is for sale. I shall do so if you weep. Zoe, explain yourself---your language fills me with shapeless fears. M'Closky. I couldn't bear to see him put to work. I'm not guilty; would ye murder me? I shall see this estate pass from me without a sigh, for it possesses no charm for me; the wealth I covet is the love of those around me---eyes that are rich in fond looks, lips that breathe endearing words; the only estate I value is the heart of one true woman, and the slaves I'd have are her thoughts. Ya! See also Point. Didn't I? This blow has staggered me some. Ten years ago the judge took as overseer a bit of Connecticut hardware called M'Closky. Scud. They have realized that Paul is missing, and most believe him dead. I the sharer of your sorrows---your wife. Scud. I don't know when my time on earth will be up; but I DO know that today, I am one day closer. George. Sunny. Providence has chosen your executioner. Work! This old nigger, the grandfather of the boy you murdered, speaks for you---don't that go through you? In comparison, a quadroon would have one quarter African ancestry and a mulatto for the most part has historically implied half African ancestry. The earth has been stirred here lately. top till I get enough of you in one place! *], [Light fires.---Draw flats and discoverPaul'sgrave.---M'Closky*dead on top of it.---Wahnoteestanding triumphantly over him.*]. Evidence! [Knocks.] 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! 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---. Mrs. P.Yes, there is a hope left yet, and I cling to it. M'Closky. Zoe. He and his apparatus arrived here, took the judge's likeness and his fancy, who made him overseer right off. forgive your poor child. One of them is prepared with a self-developing liquid that I've invented. Haven't you worked like a horse? Ah! Weenee Paul. Act II Summary. What, sar! Wahnotee tracks him down and confronts him; in the ensuing struggle, Wahnotee kills McClosky. The last word, an important colloquialism, was misread by the typesetter of the play. The conflict centers around Zoe, "the Octoroon", a term used at the time to describe a person who was 1/8 African, 7/8 Caucasian. Scud. For the first time, twenty-five thousand---last time! Enjoy reading and share 1 famous quotes about The Octoroon with everyone. EnterScudder, George, Ratts, Caillou, Pete, Grace, Minnie,and all theNegroes. Scad. 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.". O, Mas'r Scudder, he didn't cry zackly; both ob his eyes and cheek look like de bad Bayou in low season---so dry dat I cry for him. No; but I loved you so, I could not bear my fate; and then I stood your heart and hers. Glendon Swarthout, Never believe in any faith younger than you are." The Steamer floats on at back, burning. How long before we start, captain? Well, what d'ye say, Lafouche---d'ye smile? What? You see dat hole in dar, sar. [Dances.]. In a few hours that man, my master, will come for me; he has paid my price, and he only consented to let me remain here this one night, because Mrs. Peyton promised to give me up to him to-day. At the time the judge executed those free papers to his infant slave, a judgment stood recorded against him; while that was on record he had no right to make away with his property. And what shall I say? No, Pete; no, I won't. He stood gazing in wonder at her work-basket as if it was something extraordinary. Dora. George, do you see that hand you hold? [Conceals himself.]. This is your own house; we are under your uncle's roof; recollect yourself. [Eagerly.] I thank Heaven you have not lived to see this day. Now's your time, sar. 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! What, Mr. Ratts, are you going to invest in swamps? "No, ma'am, the truth seldom is.". [Advances.] Mrs. P.Poor child! [Wahnotee*raises apron and runs off,*L.U.E.Paul*sits for his picture---M'Closkyappears from*R.U.E.]. How came they in your possession? I'll sweep these Peytons from this section of the country. He's an Injiun---fair play. Zoe. George. Scud. Zoe. I would be alone a little while. or say the word, and I'll buy this old barrack, and you shall be mistress of Terrebonne. Go on, Colonel---Colonel Pointdexter, ma'am---the mortgagee, auctioneer, and general agent. The Injiun means that he buried him there! Where is Mr. Scudder? The sheriff from New Orleans has taken possession---Terrebonne is in the hands of the law. Zoe. If he stirs, I'll put a bullet through his skull, mighty quick. Gosh, wouldn't I like to hab myself took! Buy me, Mas'r Ratts, do buy me, sar? Point. [They get on table.]. Sunnyside, how good you are; so like my poor Peyton. George. No, I hesitated because an attachment I had formed before I had the pleasure of seeing you had not altogether died out. 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. [*Enter*George,C.] Ah! I will; for it is agin my natur' to b'lieve him guilty; and if he be, this ain't the place, nor you the authority to try him. 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? M'Closky. Omnes. [Darts between them.] I'd be darned glad if somebody would tear my past life away from me. I---my mother was---no, no---not her! Mrs. P.Read, George. Thank you, Mas'r Ratts: I die for you, sar; hold up for me, sar. His new cotton gins broke down, the steam sugar-mills burst up, until he finished off with his folly what Mr. M'Closky with his knavery began. Each word you utter makes my love sink deeper into my heart. I'll take back my bid, Colonel. M'Closky. *EnterThibodeauxand*Sunnyside,R.U.E. Thibo. Tullian Tchividjian. Don't be afraid; it ain't going for that, Judge. Dora. my dear, dear father! "All right," says the judge, and away went a thousand acres; so at the end of eight years, Jacob M'Closky, Esquire, finds himself proprietor of the richest half of Terrebonne---. Ratts. Has not my dear aunt forgotten it---she who had the most right to remember it? None o' ye ign'rant niggars could cry for yerselves like dat. Darn his copper carcass, I've got a set of Irish deck-hands aboard that just loved that child; and after I tell them this, let them get a sight of the red-skin, I believe they would eat him, tomahawk and all. drop dat banana! Pete. Jacob, your accuser is that picter of the crime---let that speak---defend yourself. Eleven hundred---going---going---sold! dat right! Wal, as it consarns you, perhaps you better had. Lynch him! | Privacy Policy It's surely worth the love that dictated it; here are the papers and accounts. I want you to buy Terrebonne. [M'Closky*lowers his hand. Sunny. Mrs. Claiborne Miss Clinton. How dar you say dat, you black nigger, you? Let me be sold then, that I may free his name. All night, as I fled through the cane-brake, I heard footsteps behind me. If you want a quarrel---. Pete. Scud. if I stop here, I shall hug her right off. O, let all go, but save them! If that old nigger ain't asleep, I'm blamed. Zoe realizes that she is in love with him too, but they cannot marry, as she is an Octoroon, and, under 19th century laws, their marriage was legally prohibited. Zoe. Hole yer tongue, Dido. The Octoroon Act II Summary & Analysis. Pete. Ratts. Wahnotee. Hello, Pete, I never heard of that affair. ], M'Closky. Lafouche. Lafouche. Silence in the court; stand back, let the gentlemen of the jury retire, consult, and return their verdict. Dora. Sunny. Yes---me and Co.---we done it; but, as you were senior partner in the concern, I reckon you got the big lick. 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