Exigence in Our Nig

Exigence can be defined as the motivation or what compels the author to write. In Harriet Wilson's "Our Nig"the exigence while not always clear can overall be summarized as the attempt to inform and promote the need for change and treatment of black slaves. On page 25 she says, "The child does as much work as a woman ought to; and just see how she is kicked about!"(25). This quote is a microcosm of the entire message and exigence of the book.

Wilson's description of their poor treatment along with how the culture acted and viewed blacks and black slaves in the north are representative of the time. Wilson is writing "Our Nig" not only for herself or for current black slaves but for desire to express her voice and let others like us learn from past history.