The Passing of Grandison

“The Passing of Grandison” by Charles W. Chesnutt teaches that one must back up their words with actions. The story began with Dick Owens attending a trial for a man who attempted to free a slave. Dick was “a youth of about twenty-two, intelligent, handsome, and amiable, but extremely indolent” (The American Tradition in Literature 640). He did not put forth effort in any area simply because he did not have to. However, this changed when the gorgeous Charity Lomax told him she would fall in love with him if he did something heroic. Dick, knowing she admired the man who helped someone else’s slave escape, decided to do this himself. Owens asked his father if he could take a slave up north to get away. His father agreed to this and offered Grandison, a loyal, trustworthy slave. Although Dick did everything possible to give Grandison the opportunity for freedom in the north, he did not take it. Grandison remained loyal. Dick even went as far as leaving him in Canada. Even this did not work, though, and Grandison made his way home to the south. Throughout the whole story, Grandison “passed” as an ignorant, loyal slave. The story surprised the Owenses and readers, however, when Grandison and his family were found physically “passing” out of their lives on a steamboat to Canada and freedom. For years, Grandison let his words and actions remain in alignment, waiting until the right moment to escape.

Grandison’s actions at the estate showed that he was content as a slave. He appreciated where he was for years and did not try to be more than he was expected. “He’s too fond of good eating, to risk losing his regular meals; besides, he’s sweet on your mother’s maid, Betty, and I’ve promised to let ‘em get married before long” (The American Tradition in Literature 643). He enjoyed his meals and even chose to marry. Settling down in Colonel Owen’s house caused the Colonel to trust him. Tom, Dick’s servant, on the other hand, did not solely fulfill his low expectations. The delight in his eyes was apparent when Dick talked about going up North, although his words showed no such thing. “Tom’s eyes belied his words, however, and his young master felt well assured that Tom needed only a good opportunity to make him run away” (The American Tradition in Literature 642). He also was caught reading the paper, although he was not supposed to know how to read. Grandison, on the other hand, never hinted that he wanted to leave. He did not learn more than he was supposed to, and he did what he was told. It was not the moment to escape yet.

Grandison’s actions were backed up by his words. 

“Well, I sh’d jes’ reckon I is better off, suh, dan dem low-down free niggers, suh! Ef anybody ax ‘em who dey b’long ter, dey has ter say nobody, e e’se lie erbout it. Anybody ax me who I b’longs ter, I ain’ got no ‘casion to be shame’ ter tell ‘em, no, suh, ‘deed I ain’, suh!” (The American Tradition in Literature 643)

This quote tells us a few different things. First, it is support to the fact that Grandison was not intelligent. He did not learn more than necessary. This only adds to Owens belief that Grandison would be loyal. Grandison did not have the education to think for himself. Second, he tells the Colonel that he is loyal. While this did not mean much in Tom’s case, Grandison’s words and actions lined up while at the estate. This was because it was not the opportune moment to escape yet. 

Grandison’s words and actions even lined up in the north. Dick Owens tried to release him willingly to freedom by placing him around the abolitionists. Much to Dick’s dismay, Grandison responded with, “dese yer abolitioners is jes’ pesterin’ de life out er me tryin’ ter git me ter run away. I don’ pay no ‘tention ter ‘em, but dey riles me so sometimes dat I’m feared I’ll his some of ‘em some er dese days, an’ dat mough git me inter trouble” (The American Tradition in Literature 646). Grandison acted frustrated with the abolitionists, did not take Dick’s money, and even refused to leave his master in Canada. His words and actions remained aligned even in the strongest temptation.

Grandison “passed” as loyal by his action of returning to the plantation. Because his words had matched his actions for so many years, Colonel Owens did not question him when he said he was kidnapped, gagged, and almost killed. He trusted his loyal slave completely and celebrated his return. 

Now was the perfect moment.

Grandison had been in Canada and was aware of how to get back. His master trusted him completely. He was recently married.

Grandison escaped with everything that truly mattered to him (his family) and fled to Canada without being suspected until he was gone.

Grandison’s life showed that, in order to be trusted, (whether using trickery like this slave or building honest relationships), one must match their words with their actions.

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