It will cost me all I'm worth. O, no; Mas'r Scudder, don't leave Mas'r Closky like dat---don't, sa---'tain't what good Christian should do. Scud. Franco Harris, You have to let it go. Paul. He is incapable of any but sincere and pure feelings---so are you. go on. [R.] Then why don't you buy it yourself, Colonel? What am goin' to cum ob us! I must see you no more. The judge drew money like Bourbon whiskey from a barrel, and never turned off the tap. Author: Dahlia Lithwick. Well when I say go, den lift dis rag like dis, see! Scud. George. Sunny. George. I say, I'd like to say summit soft to the old woman; perhaps it wouldn't go well, would it? I tell ye dar's somebody in dar. I brought half this ruin on this family, with my all-fired improvements. O, laws-a-mussey, see dis; here's a pictur' I found stickin' in that yar telescope machine, sar! The list of your slaves is incomplete---it wants one. Mrs. P.George, I can't spare Paul for an hour or two; he must run over to the landing; the steamer from New Orleans passed up the river last night, and if there's a mail they have thrown it ashore. No, ma'am, I worked like an ass---an honest one, and that's all. Pete. [Aside to Zoe.] Why don't he return to his nation out West? M'Closky. George. Go outside, there; listen to what you hear, then go down to the quarters and tell the boys, for I can't do it. DORA played by a white actress or an actress who can pass as white. Do you know what I am? You got four of dem dishes ready. Well, that has come out clear, ain't it? That's about right. Five hundred bid---it's a good price. what, dem?---get away! What was this here Scudder? Do you know what the niggers round here call that sight? Be calm---darn the things; the proceeds of this sale won't cover the debts of the estate. I say, then, air you honest men? [SeesPete,*who has set his pail down*L. C.up stage, and goes to sleep on it.] No---no. Scud. I fetch as much as any odder cook in Louisiana. Buy me, Mas'r Ratts, do buy me, sar? you bomn'ble fry---git out---a gen'leman can't pass for you. Hold on now! Now, gentlemen, we shall proceed to business. Jackson. The child---'tis he! Do you think they would live here on such terms? Scud. Sunny. Zoe. | Contact Us Scud. I want you to buy Terrebonne. You! Away with him---put him down the aft hatch, till we rig his funeral. And twenty thousand bid. Was dat?---a cry out dar in de swamp---dar agin! Don't say that, ma'am; don't say that to a man that loves another gal. You have been tried---honestly tried and convicted. She loves him! No other cause to hate---to envy me---to be jealous of me---eh? Mr. Peyton, I presume you have hesitated to make this avowal because you feared, in the present condition of affairs here, your object might be misconstrued, and that your attention was rather to my fortune than myself. The play was adapted by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins as An Octoroon in 2014. | Privacy Policy It concerns the residents of a Louisiana plantation called Terrebonne, and sparked debates about the abolition of slavery and the role of theatre in politics. Come, Miss Dora, let me offer you my arm. No; not you---George. Paul's best friend, the Indian Wahnotee, discovers Paul's body; he can speak only poor English, however, and is unable to communicate the tragedy to anyone else. George. The men accuse Wahnotee of the murder, and McClosky calls for him to be lynched. Scud. ain't that a pooty gun. *EnterThibodeauxand*Sunnyside,R.U.E. Thibo. He's yours, Captain Ratts, Magnolia steamer. Dion Boucicault Quotes - BrainyQuote. I'm gwine! Do I? This lynch law is a wild and lawless proceeding. Ah! Ratts. *, M'Olosky. Gentlemen, we are all acquainted with the circumstances of this girl's position, and I feel sure that no one here will oppose the family who desires to redeem the child of our esteemed and noble friend, the late Judge Peyton. [Advances.] Alas! Yes; I kept the letters, and squandered the money. I always said you were the darndest thief that ever escaped a white jail to misrepresent the North to the South. Do not weep, George. When I travelled round with this machine, the homely folks used to sing out, "Hillo, mister, this ain't like me!" For the first time, twenty-five thousand---last time! Hole yer tongue, Dido. Top, you varmin! Darn it, when I see a woman in trouble, I feel like selling the skin off my back. Yes! Scud. Zoe, they shall not take you from us while I live. [Dances.]. [Sees tomahawk in Wahnotee's belt---draws it out and examines it.] Beat that any of ye. Zoe. The last word, an important colloquialism, was misread by the typesetter of the play. there again!---no; it was only the wind over the canes. Zoe. Ho! Paul. Scud. Darn me, if I couldn't raise thirty thousand on the envelope alone, and ten thousand more on the post-mark. Scud. May Heaven bless him for the thought, bless him for the happiness he spread around my life. Because it was the truth; and I had rather be a slave with a free soul, than remain free with a slavish, deceitful heart. Hillo! Scud. I don't know, but I feel it's death! [Returning with rifle.] Well, ma'am, I spose there's no law agin my bidding for it. What, you won't, won't ye? Yonder is the boy---now is my time! George. Paul. Sunny. Stan' back, I say I I'll nip the first that lays a finger on Him. a slave! "No, ma'am, the truth seldom is.". [Calling at door.] [2] Among antebellum melodramas, it was considered second in popularity only to Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852).[3]. 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. No, I'm the skurriest crittur at a fight you ever see; my legs have been too well brought up to stand and see my body abused; I take good care of myself, I can tell you. They have realized that Paul is missing, and most believe him dead. George reluctantly agrees. Now, ma'am, I'd like a little business, if agreeable. [Doraattempts to take it.] "I'm afraid to die; yet I am more afraid to live," Zoe says, asking Dido to "protect me from that mando let me die without pain" (70). Pete. Mr. George, I am afraid, if all we hear is true, you have led a dreadful life in Europe. George. if I stop here, I shall hug her right off. Paul! Hold on, George Peyton---stand back. The New York Times noted 'its striking merits as a sensational drama' [Opens it.] It ain't our sile, I believe, rightly; but Nature has said that where the white man sets his foot, the red man and the black man shall up sticks and stand around. I think we may begin business. [Music.]. Now, my culled brethren, gird up your lines, and listen---hold on yer bref---it's a comin. It carried that easy on mortgage. What a find! I'm on you like a painter, and when I'm drawed out I'm pizin. That's enough. Ratts. She's in love with young Peyton; it made me curse, whar it made you cry, as it does now; I see the tears on your cheeks now. When you have done joking, gentlemen, you'll say one hundred and twenty thousand. Dam dat Injiun! I hate 'em. [Exit slowly, as if concealing himself,R.U.E. George. Poor Injiun lub our little Paul. EnterPaul,R.U.E.,withIndian,who goes up. Look there. And I remained here to induce you to offer that heart to Dora! You can bet I'm going to make this . Now don't stir. Dora. Zoe. Boucicault The Octoroon Quotes & Sayings. George. Well, he cut that for the photographing line. George. You don't come here to take life easy. [Pete goes down.] Hold on a bit. If we can't behave like Christians, let's try and act like gentlemen. [] If she ain't worth her weight in sunshine, you may take one of my fingers off, and choose which you like." (Act I, Scene 1, Page 24) Adam had a job, a place to live, and food that he could provide for his woman. If there is no bid for the estate and stuff, we'll sell it in smaller lots. he must not see me. My darling! Zoe, I love you none the less; this knowledge brings no revolt to my heart, and I can overcome the obstacle. Then buy the hands along with the property. Mrs. Pey. I thank Heaven you have not lived to see this day. But the creditors will not claim the gal? *, M'Closky. M'Closky. What? So it is. Sharon Gannon. 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? The Octoroon Important Quotes 1. If it was the ghost of that murdered boy haunting me! Well, that's all right; but as he can't marry her, and as Miss Dora would jump at him---. Get out, you cub! Dora. [Puts his head under the darkening apron.] Then I'd like to hire a lady to go to auction and buy my hands. Ha, ha!---[Calls.] you're looking well. 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. What more d'ye want---ain't that proof enough? Ah! Boucicault adapted the play from the novel The Quadroon by Thomas Mayne Reid (1856). George. Whar's Paul, Wahnotee? Good day, ma'am. The Octoroon Act II Summary & Analysis. When the ship's abroad on the ocean, when the army is before the enemy where in thunder's the law? Mrs. P.Ah! Weenee Paul. [*Exit*Mrs. Peyton*and*George,L.U.E.] A slave! George. Pete. O, I have not spoiled that anyhow. Mas'r George---ah, no, sar---don't buy me---keep your money for some udder dat is to be sold. Do you mean that I'm a pig? What's this? What's the matter, Ratts? Let him answer for the boy, then. Paul. You can protect me from that man---do let me die without pain. The men leave to fetch the authorities, but McClosky escapes. Seeking 2 Actor Team for Spring Where is Mr. Scudder? Scud. darn his carcass! Ratts. [R.] Well, what's the use of argument whar guilt sticks out so plain; the boy and Injiun were alone when last seen. [Raises hand to back of his neck.] Pete. He wanted to know what furniture she had in her bedroom, the dresses she wore, the people she knew; even his physical desire for her gave way to a deeper yearning, a boundless, aching curiosity. Copyright 2023 Famous Quotes & Sayings. he's coming this way, fighting with his Injiun. [Makes sign thatPaulwas killed by a blow on the head.]. Pete. Be the first to contribute! He who can love so well is honest---don't speak ill of poor Wahnotee. You are illegitimate, but love knows no prejudice. George. Is my plantation at Comptableau worth this? Ratts. Scud. And we all Zoe. Dora. Ratts. [Wahnotee*runs on, pulls down apron---seesPaul,lying on ground--- speaks to him---thinks he's shamming sleep---gesticulates and jabbers--- goes to him---moves him with feet, then kneels down to rouse him---to his horror finds him dead---expresses great grief---raises his eyes--- they fall upon the camera---rises with savage growl, seizes tomahawk and smashes camera to pieces, then goes toPaul---expresses grief, sorrow, and fondness, and takes him in his arms to carry him away.--- Tableau.*]. Dido. [Aside.] It's near that now, and there's still the sugar-houses to be inspected. Grace. Important Quotes. Enjoy reading and share 7 famous quotes about Boucicault The Octoroon with everyone. Here's the Picayune [producing paper] with the advertisement. [Tableaux.]. top till I get enough of you in one place! Mrs. P.I fear that the property is so involved that the strictest economy will scarcely recover it. M'Closky. Squire Sunnyside is going to sell this at fifty thousand advance to-morrow.---[Looks round.] Paul. Lafouche. "Ma'am, your nose drawed it. Dido. E.---Wahnotefollows him.---Screams outside. [They rush onM'Closky,and disarm him.] I ain't ashamed of it---I do love the gal; but I ain't jealous of you, because I believe the only sincere feeling about you is your love for Zoe, and it does your heart good to have her image thar; but I believe you put it thar to spile. [Seated,R. C.] Fan me, Minnie.---[Aside.] Mrs. P.Sellyourself, George! Wood up thar, you Polio---hang on to the safety valve---guess she'll crawl off on her paddles. O, Mr. Scudder! drop dat banana! Dat's de laziest nigger on dis yere property. that you will not throw me from you like a poisoned thing! [Cry of "fire" heard---Engine bells heard---steam whistle noise.]. We're ready; the jury's impanelled---go ahead---who'll be accuser? Who's you to set up screching?---be quiet! When I am dead she will not be jealous of your love for me, no laws will stand between us. Daisaku Ikeda Culture is like the current of the ocean. I hope it will turn out better than most of my notions. O! Paul. Judge, you can raise the hull on mortgage---going for half its value. Go and try it, if you've a mind to. Ten miles we've had to walk, because some blamed varmin onhitched our dug-out. This New York Times article cautions its readers against jumping to conclusions about Boucicault's intentions in the writing of the play and downplays . Zoe. O, Zoe, my child! A draft for eighty-five thousand dollars, and credit on Palisse and Co., of New Orleans, for the balance. [*To*Ratts.] George. Is your heart free? I have it. He calls me Omenee, the Pigeon, and Miss Zoe is Ninemoosha, the Sweetheart. George. Has not my dear aunt forgotten it---she who had the most right to remember it? Ratts. None o' ye ign'rant niggars could cry for yerselves like dat. George. If she ain't worth her weight in sunshine you may take one of my fingers off, and choose which you like. there it comes---it comes---don't you hear a footstep on the dry leaves? But dis ain't all. Look there, jurymen. Yah! If he would only propose to marry me I would accept him, but he don't know that, and he will go on fooling, in his slow European way, until it is too late. O, how d'ye do, sir? Dora. ZOE played by an octoroon actress, a white actress, a quadroon actress, a biracial actress, a multi-racial actress, or an actress of color who can pass as an octoroon. Would you rob me first, and murder me afterwards? this infernal letter would have saved all. Solon. Sunny. Den say de missus, "'Tain't for de land I keer, but for dem poor niggars---dey'll be sold---dat wot stagger me." Zoe. M'Closky. [Throws mail bags down and sits on them,L. C.] Pret, now den go. Frank Capra, If you wish to achieve worthwhile things in your personal and career life, you must become a worthwhile person in your own self-development. Am I late? George offers to take her to a different country, but Zoe insists that she stay to help Terrebonne; Scudder then appears and suggests that George marry Dora. Look in my eyes; is not the same color in the white? M'Closky. O! Come, Paul, are you ready? MINNIE played by an African-American actress, a black actress, or an actress of color. Some of you niggers run and hole de hosses; and take dis, Dido. Ratts. Whar's de coffee? Be the first to contribute! Where did she live and what sort of life did she lead? You hear a footstep on the ocean, when the ship 's abroad on the.. 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