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Gabrielle Hinsch

Professor Kim Whitehead

EN 204 Honors

September 9, 2021

“The Passing of Grandison:” In What Ways Does Grandison Pass

In “The Passing of Grandison” written by Charles W. Chesnutt, there are several

instances of “passing.” This “passing” is not in a racial way which is commonly portrayed in

literature but a “passing” into freedom. There are several instances of “passing,” such as

Grandison “passing” as a docile slave, Grandison “passing” on freedom, and Grandison

“passing” into freedom. These instances help Grandison hide his true self and true motives until

he can finally become free with his family. Grandison also uses these instances of “passing” to

help the reader understand deeper issues throughout the short story.

The first instance of “passing” is Grandison as a docile and obedient slave. In the

beginning, Grandison and the colonel are having a conversation about “cussed abolitionists, who

try to entice servants from their comfortable homes (753). While the colonel is talking about this

Grandison is putting on a façade and not letting his true motives shine through. Thus, Grandison

is allowed to go up North because he “would n’low none er dem cussed, low-down abolitioners

ter come nigh [him]” (753). In this instance, Grandison is dissembling to appear as a loyal slave

who would never leave. The colonel believes that Grandison is wholeheartedly devoted to him,

and this helps Grandison start his journey that will eventually free him. This type of “passing”

shows that to keep a relatively harm free life Grandison must hide his true feelings and thoughts.

The type of “passing” Grandison portrays through being a loyal slave is apparent throughout the

short story.
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The next instance of “passing” that is apparent throughout the short story is Grandison

“passing” on freedom. When Dick, the colonel’s son, and Grandison arrived in New York Dick

“kept Grandison supplied with pocket-money, and left him mainly to his own devices” (754).

During this time Grandison could go out and do whatever he wanted which included running

away and conversing with abolitionists to help him. Yet another opportunity arises for Grandison

to run away when Dick “lock[s] up a hundred dollars… and give[s] [Grandison] the key” (756).

Grandison has all the power to leave and never come back to the slave-holding society of the

south but instead, he stays. Lastly, Dick and Grandison travel to Niagara Falls and cross over to

the free country of Canada, and “Grandison remain[s] faithfully at his post, awaiting his master’s

return” (757). Grandison is fulfilling his duties to be loyal and stay by Dick’s side throughout

their journey. It is interesting to see Grandison “passing” on all these opportunities to freedom,

but it becomes apparent why he does this at the end of the short story.

The last instance of “passing” that shows up is Grandison “passing” into freedom.

Though it is hidden very well throughout the short story there are a couple of hints that help

show that Grandison is going to become free. When Grandison and Dick are up north “a long-

haired, sharp-featured man [comes] out behind [Grandison], [follows] him, soon [overtakes] him

and [keeps] along beside him until they [turn] the next corner” (755). The man that is talking to

Grandison is found to be an abolitionist that is going to help him reach freedom. Although

Grandison appears as this loyal obedient servant, in the end, Grandison “[o]n the stern of a small

steamboat…with her nose pointing toward Canada…wave[s] his hand derisively toward the

colonel” (760). Grandison waits all this time so that he can take his family and finally “pass” into

the land of freedom. Grandison “passes’ throughout the short story which leads up to this

moment, and finally does one last “passing” act into freedom.
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Overall, “The Passing of Grandison” shows that there are many different ways that

“passing” applies to life and the meaning that goes with each. Grandison goes throughout the

short story “passing” in many different instances. These instances help Grandison get through his

life as a slave. As Grandison “passes” as a docile and obedient slave the reader can see what he is

trying to do to survive in such a hostile time. Grandison “passing” on freedom helps the reader

see that sometimes things take time and patience. Lastly, Grandison “passing” into freedom

shows that nothing is impossible it just takes strength and determination.

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Works Cited

Chesnutt, Charles W. “The Passing of Grandison.” The Norton Anthology of American

Literature, edited by Robert S. Levine, 9th ed., W. W. Norton, 2016, pp. 749-760.