Eliza Cottor Character Analysis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Slow Drag tells his bandmates a story about Eliza Cottor, a man he knew in Alabama. Eliza used to be a regular man who made his living by putting shoes on mules and horses, but then he sold his soul to the devil and started leading a rich, lavish life. He went on to commit murder, but the police and courts let him walk free. Slow Drag claims that he now roams the country with a large sack, which is full of the bloody fingerprints of anyone who agrees to sell their soul to the devil. Wherever he goes, Eliza offers people $100 for their souls. Levee responds to Slow Drag’s story by saying he wishes he could find Eliza, since he’d gladly sell his soul for that amount—a blasphemous comment that enrages Cutler.

Eliza Cottor Character Timeline in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

The timeline below shows where the character Eliza Cottor appears in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

History, Tradition, and Change Theme Icon

...sold his soul to the devil, then launches into a story about a man named Eliza Cottor from Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Eliza used to carry around a huge bag of papers—documents bearing... (full context)

Eliza Cottor used to live on a farm, supporting himself by putting shoes on horses and mules.... (full context)

Cutler wants to know what became of Eliza Cottor , assuming that a man who sold his soul to the devil must have suffered... (full context)

Levee wishes he knew where to find Eliza Cottor . Not only would he sell his soul, he’d also help Eliza get others to... (full context)

...They should be searching for new opportunities, always keeping an eye out for someone like Eliza Cottor to come around and offer to buy their soul on behalf of the devil. (full context)