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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.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire James LitChart as a printable PDF.
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.”
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
