This novella-sized story is a multi-faceted gem. While it takes place in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, there are revealing parallels with the South. In Our Nig, Mag, a lonely poor white woman of Irish descent, and Jim, a free “Kind-hearted” African,have two bright and charming children, of which Frado (modeled after the author), the eldest, is gifted with a sense of humor and a spry mind. Wilson, through the contrasting personalities of the Bellmont family, describes the varying degrees of racism and exclusion that was heaped on Frado, creating a wrenching study of the prejudice and hypocrisy that African Americans have continuously been subjected to in the United States.

In Our Nig, Jim, (modeled after her father Joshua), is a hard-working barrel hooper, who is in partnership with a white man, dies from consumption, what TB was then called. And like Mag’s father before her, her daughter Frado has lost her father at an early age. Mag eventually marries Seth, a white partner of Jim’s, who after a short period suggests that there are too many obstacles for them with two black children and convinces Mag to leave Frado with a wealthy family nearby and they move to another location. She at first objects, out of guilt, but also because Mrs. Bellmont, the woman of said wealthy family, is a “Right she-devil.” However, Seth prevails, and they leave Frado with the Bellmonts, claiming to return that evening, but they never do. The other sibling is obliquely referred to in the book and disappears at this point, and Frado never sees or hears about her mother again. Thus, Frado becomes an indentured servant, as some African Americans became when slavery had ended in the North, as were some whites. This is where Frado’s trials begin. She is severely treated by Mrs. Bellmont and one of the daughters throughout the remainder of her childhood until she was 18.

Through Wilson's pen, the Bellmont family becomes a metaphor illustrating antebellum Northern society. Mrs. Bellmont, the mother, is the status quo, was cruel, and frantically insecure, who at every opportunity burdens Frado with tasks that became increasingly numerous. Frado forced to do the work of several adults to save Mrs. Bellmont money, spending a minimal amount for her upkeep in clothes and food. She beat and tortured the young girl because the tasks were humanly impossible. Through time, this treatment, which included stuffing a piece of wood in her mouth while she was being beaten, took its toll on Frado’s health and spirit. – Until Frado finally tells Mrs. Bellmont that she will not work anymore if she is beaten. Mr. Bellmont, the husband, was acquiescent, who while knowing his wife was wrong, did not contest her except on rare occasions. In those instances, his objections carried weight. He was like a hypocritical authority, who was aware of the moral evil of his wife, yet he was inept and fearful of fighting against her.

There were five adult children: Jane, a kind slightly invalid daughter, brothers Jack and John; these three children felt affection for Frado and were troubled by the treatment their mother gave to her, often rescuing her from horrid situations. The brothers wanted to eventually free her from her enslavement by taking her to live with them. They were not hypocritical or weak like the father, yet they were as unable to change the status quo imposed by Mrs. Bellmont, beyond trying to prevent or otherwise defy the evil that their mother inflicted on Frado. Daughter Mary followed the spirit of her mother, typifying those who unquestionably follow a prevailing regime because it serves their interests and placates their anxieties. Mary and Mrs. Bellmont had an inherent fear and resentment of this young Black girl, who was daring, with a challenging nature that others admired. An older brother James, whose sensibilities were closer to the mother’s as well, lived out of town. Aunt Abbey, Mr. Bellmont’s sister, also felt compassion for Frado, and would comfort her, and fed her full meals, cakes, and other treats that Mrs. Bellmont denied Frado. Aunt Abbey was also hesitant to challenge Mrs. Bellmont, because of the power she wielded in the house – Aunt Abbey lived in another house nearby. Mrs. Bellmont was an implacable negative institution that held sway over compassion and benevolence.