Mr. Cosgrove Character Analysis in The Bondwoman’s Narrative

Mr. Cosgrove becomes the owner of Lindenhurst following the death of the master. His wife, Mrs. Cosgrove, is an aristocratic Englishwoman. During her lengthy absence due to the illness of a relative, Mr. Cosgrove begins multiple affairs with some of the women he enslaves. His favorite is a woman named Evelyn, with whom he has twin sons. Several of these relationships result in children, whom he openly acknowledges as his own. Mrs. Cosgrove eventually learns about these not-so-secret families and forces Mr. Cosgrove to sell his mistresses and children, although he nevertheless manages to hide Evelyn and her boys in a safe location. When Mrs. Cosgrove discovers this, too, Mr. Cosgrove becomes physically violent to prevent his wife from harming his mistress, and his rash action leads to Mrs. Cosgrove’s fatal injuries in a riding accident. Although the couple reconcile before her death, the book suggests that Mr. Cosgrove is haunted by guilt afterward.

Mr. Cosgrove Quotes in The Bondwoman’s Narrative

The The Bondwoman’s Narrative quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Cosgrove or refer to Mr. Cosgrove. 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:

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Did it not occur to her that night when laying down on […] her splendid bed with snowy counterpanes and downy pillows that the poor freed slave with her tender infants had not [sic] where to lay her head? Did she think waking up the next morning […] and preparing to breakfast daintily on soft rich cakes and golden butter, with luscious honey, strawberries melting in cream and the richest beverage that the one she had so unfeelingly dismissed had not a morsel wherewith to satisfy the cravings of nature, or support her strength under the most onerous maternal duty—that of providing nourishment for her offspring. […] Far from it, she only thought, as she expressed it, that “the coast was clear” and exulted over the idea of her husband’s surprise and indignation when he ascertained the fact.

Related Characters: Lizzy (speaker), Mistress, Mr. Cosgrove, Evelyn, Mrs. Cosgrove, Hannah

Page Number and Citation: 188-189

Explanation and Analysis:

Mrs Cosgrove was no longer the haughty self-conceited woman, but a gentle, humble lamb-like follower of Christ. This change was not wrought suddenly. It came only after nights and days of tearless mental agony, after deep humiliation of spirit, and bitter supplications. Then gradually and beautifully and calmly as the moon breaking over stormy seas came the light of hope to her mind. It was accompanied by peace and love and gentle […] child-like trust, and though lame and weary and fast losing her hold of time she became happier than ever she had been in the days of her pride, and beauty, and prosperity.

Related Characters: Lizzy (speaker), Mrs. Cosgrove, Hannah, Mr. Cosgrove

Page Number and Citation: 197

Explanation and Analysis:

Marriage like many other blessings I considered to be especially designed for the free, and something that all the victims of slavery should avoid as tending essentially to perpetuate that system. Hence to all overtures of that kind from whatever quarter they might come I had invariably turned a deaf ear. I had spurned domestic ties not because my heart was hard, but because it was my unalterable resolution never to entail slavery on any human being. And now when I had voluntarily renounced the society of those I might have learned to love should I be compelled to accept one, whose person, and speech, and manner could not fail to be ever regarded by me with loathing and disgust.

Related Characters: Hannah (speaker), William, Mrs. Wheeler, Bill, Mr. Saddler, Mrs. Henry, Charlotte , Mr. Cosgrove

Page Number and Citation: 212-213

Explanation and Analysis:

Mr. Cosgrove Character Timeline in The Bondwoman’s Narrative

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Cosgrove appears in The Bondwoman’s Narrative. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...and she tells Hannah the terrible tale of the estate’s new master, a man named Mr. Cosgrove . (full context)

Lizzy explains that after the master’s death, a man named Mr. Cosgrove became the owner of Lindenhurst. His wife, Mrs. Cosgrove, was a very grand aristocratic lady... (full context)

...the garden below her window. When she asked Lilly about these “guests,” Lilly confessed that Mr. Cosgrove ordered her to say nothing about them to his wife. Summoning another servant, Mrs. Cosgrove... (full context)

Finally, Lizzy says, Mrs. Cosgrove summoned Mr. Cosgrove , whom she confronted about the women and children. Cruelly, he told her that she... (full context)

Lizzy tells Hannah that she doubted Mr. Cosgrove would follow through on his promise to Mrs. Cosgrove—he doted on and spoiled his concubines... (full context)

Mrs. Cosgrove was furious, Lizzy tells Hannah. Upon obtaining Evelyn’s confession that she was Mr. Cosgrove ’s favorite and that the children were his, Mrs. Cosgrove turned her and the children... (full context)

That’s how it appeared to Mr. Cosgrove , Lizzy maintains, who went wild with grief and alarm when he came home and... (full context)

...her horse and, taking Lilly with her, set out for Rock Glen. But they encountered Mr. Cosgrove on the road. He and Mrs. Cosgrove argued, and—according to Lilly—he shoved Mrs. Cosgrove, whose... (full context)

...explains, she had a change of heart. Coming to regret her actions, she begged for Mr. Cosgrove ’s forgiveness, and he in turn became tender toward her in her dying hours. At... (full context)

The Bondwoman’s Narrative

Mr. Cosgrove Character Analysis

Mr. Cosgrove Quotes in The Bondwoman’s Narrative

Chapter 15: Lizzy’s Story Continued Quotes

Chapter 17: Escape Quotes

Mr. Cosgrove Character Timeline in The Bondwoman’s Narrative