Koritha Mitchell Speaking Herself into Existence: "Our Nig" as Alternative History       "Our Nig" by Harriet Wilson breaks the boundaries of genre. As a writer, Wilson finds two genres at her disposal: the sentimental novel, used by white women and the slave narrative, used by black men. However, the conventions of both prove inadequate to relate her experience, so she must create her own: the novelized autobiography.       I use Spivakís definition of the subaltern to situate Frado as a gendered subaltern figure, whose history is an alterntive to national history. Because of her subaltern status, Fradoís history is not included in national history and would normally be completely ignored. Spivak asks, can the subaltern speak? This paper shows that she can but must do so strategically. Wilson's strategy is to break the boundaries of generic convention. This strategy enables her to write her alternative history and show it is as valid as national history. Return to Session V BB Program