Gem of the Ocean

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses racism, enslavement, and racialized violence.

Aunt Ester is the matriarch of 1839 Wylie Avenue. A 285-year-old formerly enslaved woman, Aunt Ester lives with Eli and Black Mary. Although Eli is ostensibly her caretaker and Black Mary in her employ, Aunt Ester watches over both of them and the three are a family unit. She has a particularly strong bond with Black Mary, even though they bicker about Black Mary’s housekeeping abilities, the two share a strong bond, and Aunt Ester is even teaching Black Mary how to be a spiritual healer. Aunt Ester plays a role in four of Wilson’s Century Cycle plays: Gem of the Ocean, Two Trains Running, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. In each of these plays Aunt Ester serves as a wise, prominent mouthpiece for the narrative’s themes.

Aunt Ester’s engages most overtly with Gem of the Ocean’s themes through her work as a spiritual guide and cleanser. As a healer, she embodies the theme of Redemption and Spiritual Healing. Although she claims “God the only one that can wash people’s souls” (20), it is through her actions and leadership that Citizen is ultimately redeemed. She provides him with council, telling him that he must find a way to “live in truth” and explaining that he will never be at peace until he admits to his crime against Garret Brown (45).