Fredrick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818, he spent his youth being sold from plantation to city, then all over again. At a point during his youth, he realized that slavery was wrong, and eventually once becoming aware of the north, he planned to one day escape captivity and be free. His determination was strong, so strong that he would one day escape captivity and establish a legacy of work in the North, that made him one of the core members in the fight to abolish slavery in the middle of the 1800’s. He is know historically for his publications and speeches in the fight for abolition, being a convincing and proactive voice which comes from first hand experiences in what life is like for slaves and slave owners. The purpose of publishing the text, Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave, was to put into context the details of Douglass’ life, which include his feelings and tribulations, during his journey as a slave and escape to freedom. His conviction to reveal this story, was not hindered or halted by the fact that he would be exposing himself to the public, which often for an escaped slave would be a dangerous situation. The book was first published in 1845 when Douglass was twenty-seven, at this time slavery was legal, and the book that he had just published was incriminating evidence full of names, dates, and times, which make it very easy for someone to find him and return him to captivity by law.…
Within just a few pages, Douglass established his powerful argument, while more than one- fourth of the novel contains examples of gruesome events such as slaves being beaten, battered, and even killed. Through these horrific events, readers are made to cringe, envisioning what it was like to go through the hardships of slavery. By using an extensive amount of appeal, the reader becomes emotional to the horrors of slavery, and the reprimandings that slaves received. On page 22, Douglass recalls a former slave who was his wife’s cousin, who was beaten so brutally that she was actually killed. For someone to be sold into slavery, against their will, and then killed simply because she fell asleep due to previous nights lack of sleep, is absolutely unimaginable, and is seen as evil to any reader, regardless of age. This story is an example of Douglass establishment of pathos, and how he appeals to the reader’s emotions in his argument against slavery. Douglass appeals to pathos again on page 59 when he recalls a beating he was given by his new master, Mr. Covey. Douglass uses vivid details referring to the blood that would drip down his back, and the whip, which would cause ridges on his flesh. By using these vivid examples, the reader feels as if the actions are being performed on them, and that their raw flesh is being whipped. Douglass logically…
In Sharon McElwee’s literary analysis of Frederic Douglass literary piece, “The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, by Frederick Douglass,” Sharon breaks down the different key elements in Douglass’ story that make it so outstanding. Frederick Douglass is famous for his speech given during a time where slavery was still considered acceptable and was used by most wealthy white. Slavery was not viewed as cruel, but a valuable business that could earn them money. Although Douglass was not alone, his speech stands out among the others who were fighting for their freedom.…
In both pieces of writing, the revolutionizing settings heighten the theme. In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the slave owners of historical America impose harsh treatment…
•Contemplate: to look at or view with continued attention; observe or study thoughtfully: to contemplate the stars.…
In the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, Douglass uses rhetorical devices to convey his meaning that slavery is the worst possible experience for humanity in a contemptuous tone. Douglass states, “the wretchedness of slavery, and the blessedness of freedom, were perpetually before me.” This use of antithesis in parallel structure is used to convey his meaning by contrasting the two ideas of slavery and freedom, showing how extremely awful or beautiful each is and to show the differences between them. The use of the word “wretchedness” creates a contemptuous tone in this quote. He then goes on to state that upon arriving in New York he felt “like one who had escaped a den of hungry lions.” This simile is used to show the extent of his fear when in the south, showing how slavery is the worst experience for humankind. This comparison is made using a scornful tone, shown by the dehumanizing of the South through slavery. Next, Douglass explains that during his stay in the North “[he] was afraid to speak to any one for fear of speaking to any one for fear of speaking to the wrong one, and thereby falling into the hands of money-loving kidnappers, whose business it was to lie in wait for the panting fugitive, as the ferocious beats of the forest lie in wait for their prey.” Douglass writes this long sentence for the rhetorical effect of imitating the style of a person ranting, or speaking uncontrollably due to fear to show the horror of slavery. This is written in a bitter or scornful tone through his descriptions of the fugitive kidnappers. Douglass also includes that “[he] saw in every white man an enemy and in every colored man cause for distrust.” This almost equal parallelism is used to compare the common fear Douglass had for both races. The negative outlook on both races shows Douglass’s disdainful tone. Douglass further explains his outlook when he states his motto at the time was “Trust no man!” This…
In Douglass’ speech, his tone mainly appeals to emotions. He engages the listeners emotionally by stating his opinion over the topic of slavery. Douglass states, “My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is AMERICAN SLAVERY. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave’s point of view,” (52-54). This quote from his speech goes to show that he is standing up as a person who has actually experienced times of slavery. There is a great deal of credibility in Douglass’ writing because he refers to actual encounters that the African-American’s had dealt with in the way they were being treated. “I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us,” (19-22). Douglass is implying that he, along with the rest of the former slaves, do not feel that they are included in the celebration of the Fourth of July. He and the former slaves feel this way because even though they are said to have freedom, the people in the country…
We begin with talks of slavery. Although slavery was definitely not our finest time, it had a large impact on Americans and the period of realism. Frederick Douglass was born on a plantation in Maryland; he was sold as a slave at the young age of eight. At the time, most slaves had a very low quality of education, if any at all, because they were barely even seen as human. Initially, Fredrick Douglass was lucky, for he had been blessed with a kind mistress. This woman, known as Mrs. Auld, began to teach Douglass how to read and write. Eventually, Mrs. Auld was reprimanded by her husband for her actions and ceased her teaching. But, unbeknownst to the Auld’s, she had already set the foundation of a great love of knowledge in the brain of the young man.…
In Chapter 10, Douglass is living with Mr. Covey and claims that he is “called” by god for his abolitionist work. Douglass uses figurative language such as a simile to demonstrate that Douglass would rather die escaping than stay in the bond of slavery and die unfree. This simile is demonstrated in the following passage: “I had as well be killed running as die standing.” Douglass constantly uses the pronoun “I” to signify his defiance to his liberation. The phrases “killed running” and “die standing” emphasize that Douglass is determined to risk his life to be free. He claims ultimate authority for his religious and political experience which he eventually professes that the Bible rejects slavery. This excerpt is important because it shows…
Fredrick Douglass had a firm belief that slavery was not only detrimental to African American lives but also to the lives white slave owners. In comparing the history told by Fredrick Douglass, blacks and whites experience different disadvantages as well as different benefits when it comes to slavery in terms of Religion, Education, and Relationships with other people. In Douglass’s “Narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglass” we see hurt and joy on both sides of the fence. Usually where one side sees joy the other side will be hindered when it comes to the same subject. Although the pain that the whites feel is meager in comparison to the feelings of the slaves the damage is still effecting their lives.…
In The Narrative Of The Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass uses metaphors, imagery, and appeals to pathos to effectively show how the institution of slavery is a devastating force that both corrupts the slaveholder and dehumanizes the…
In the Narrative of a Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave, author Frederick Douglass shares his experiences as a slave in captivity, written after his escape to freedom, to give an inside look of exactly how slavery works: Throughout his testimony, Douglass confirms his fledgling sense that slavery is not a natural or justified form of society, but is rather a constructed power strategy supported by deprivation, mainly through education. Slaveowners accomplish this by depriving slaves of ‘basic knowledge’ as a tactic of dehumanization, but in spite, from there he begins to learn how to read and write and experiences what the power of education can do for a slave. Against all odds, through the power of education as Douglass becomes…
In the memoir Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Frederick Douglass, accounts for the hardships Douglass endured being born into enslavement, but by utilizing knowledge of language as a means of freeing his mind from the cage of slavery, ultimately leads to his freedom in, 1838. As a prelude to his altercation with Mr. Covey, Douglass proclaims, “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.” Douglass indicates that the implication of dehumanizing factors, like deprivation of learning, have transformed men into ignorant slaves, but through rehumanizing components such as learning to read and write will transfigure the illiterate slave back into a man. The memoir conveys how slaves were…
Narrative of Frederick Douglass Essay The life of a slave can be an adventure, a hardship, a living nightmare, or all of the above. It all depends on the master that owns you and the environment those influences what needs to be done. In the South slaves had harder work to attend to and would be disciplined more than in the city. Violence was allowed because of the corrupted state government and regulation forces. From the day you are born into this lifestyle, suffering will be a normal thing. A slave is forced to work at their master’s pace and not at theirs. If a slave would to not perform to satisfy his/her owner they would be punished. Depending on the personality of their master, a slave could get severely punish to a point where you can see him or her dripping their own blood. However, it’s not all bad. In fact, sometimes-good things may come your way like in the life of a slave named Frederick Douglass. Born as a slave, Frederick Douglass would experience some harsh things that kids should never see. Scenarios like seeing your aunt get “tied up to a joist, and whipped upon her naked back till she was literally covered with blood.” Frederick discovers as a kid that slaves are seen as individuals beneath their masters. He describes how every year he would receive one brand new set of clothes and shows. Most of the time slaves would almost be seen working almost naked or in rags. Year round, including in the winter, they wouldn’t get a change of clothes until the following year. Slaves would sleep altogether on the damp wet clay floor with a ripped blanket. The living conditions were almost impossible to cope with. Slave families would be separated due to trading between slaveholders. Douglass met his mother a few times and never really bonded. She would sneak out of her farm, walk a few miles and try to spend the night with him. They wouldn’t speak much but did spend time together at least until sunrise. Frederick Douglass’ early childhood would consist of…
The Dehumanization of the Enslave: Frederick Douglass The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself…