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Daniel Decatur Emmett
Voltaire is a French writer and philosopher who lived during the 18th century’s Age of Enlightenment. Jim hallucinates Voltaire in a fever dream after he is bitten by a rattlesnake. He takes issue with Voltaire’s contradictory statements regarding human equality and the inferiority of certain races. Voltaire’s presence points to Jim’s frustration with the hypocrisy of alleged abolitionists who treat the institution of slavery like a thought experiment rather than reality.
Voltaire Quotes in James
The James quotes below are all either spoken by Voltaire or refer to Voltaire. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Part 1, Chapter 6 Quotes
“Well, yes, but all men are equal. That’s my point. But even you have to admit the presence of, shall we call him—it—the devil, in your African humans.” Voltaire adjusted his position and held his hands to the fire.
“You’re saying we’re equal, but also inferior,” I said.
“I’m detecting a disapproving tone,” he said. “Listen, my friend. I’m on your side. I’m against the institution of slavery. Slavery of any kind. You know that I am an abolitionist of the first order.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re welcome.”
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Voltaire Character Timeline in James
The timeline below shows where the character Voltaire appears in James. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 6
...someone like him, who has taught other slaves to read. He hallucinates the French writer Voltaire sitting by the fire. Voltaire claims that all men are equal, but undercuts that statement...
(full context)
...slave speech where Huck can hear him. He is frustrated by the imagined debate with Voltaire and ponders how his supposed “equals” must make the case for his equality, as if...
(full context)
Part 3, Chapter 6
...are making money off your scarred black hide.” Her name is Cunégonde, a character from Voltaire’s Candide (1759). Jim remarks that she still comes back at the end of the story,...
(full context)
