Marie, the story of an octoroon whose 1/8 black which holds her back from being treated like the Caucasian lifestyle she so desperately wants to be a part of. Marie has a slave mother who is 100 percent African named Sarah along with another sister who is of mixed blood named Elizabeth. Marie dreams of a life filled with choices of other than being a mistress to her liaison. She pleased to her mother, Sarah to buy her freedom from her master John who is a French plantation owner.

In doing so her wish is granted and she receives her inheritance and off to Paris she goes to start a whole new life, squandering her money irresponsibly, trying to find a husband, enduring the same hatred of her 1/8 African descent as she did in New Orleans and ends up working as a field slave feeding the pigs. She longs to fill her stomach with pods that the pigs were eating, dropping to her knees as she consumes the portions. Seeing her reflection of the derogation she had been focused too she ponders, “How many of my mother’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!”

She sets out to go back to her mother and when she sees her she replies,” Mother, I have sinned against my culture and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your daughter; make me like one of your inherent servants. The mother filled with compassion for her daughter hugs and kisses her and yells to the servants, “Quick! Bring the best dresses, cook the finest meals, and pour the sweetest wine. Let us have a feast and celebrate and so they did!

Meanwhile the other sister Elizabeth was strolling the street coming near her home when she hear and saw music and dancing. So she called one of the servants and asks what was going on? “Your sister has come home and your mother has prepared a great celebration in her honor”, the servant replied. Elizabeth becomes anger and refuses to go in, so the mother comes out side and pleads with her.

Elizabeth answers to her mother “Look! All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeying your orders, yet you never gave me even a pearl necklace so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this daughter of your return who has wasted away your property with Caucasians, comes home, you have a Fat Tuesday. “My daughter”, the mother replies, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this sister of yours was dead and is alive again; she was lost and is found!

submitted by Christina Jeter