New Found Freedom

Douglass purposely leaves at how he escapes from slavery. Douglass flips the scenario of ignorance as a means of control. Douglass purposely does not educate slaveholders on different ways slaves escape. Douglass’ tone becomes very nervous when describing the events leading up to his escape. (Tone is a literary technique that is a part of composition, which encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience implied in a literary work.) Douglass’ greatest fear is failure. Douglass finally escapes to New York. Instead of being relieved at his new found freedom, ironically he is overcome with terror. (The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning) Douglass is very worried about food and shelter. And because of his escape, he is scared to ask for help, fearing that he will be discovered.  Finally Douglass meets David Ruggles, a free black man, who helps him by giving him money and writing him a letter of recommendation. He also helps Douglass connect with is fiancée Anna and is a witness at their marriage.  Anna and Frederick move to New Bedford. Douglass is very surprised and amazed at how prosperous this new city is. Douglass strangely associates slave labor with prosperity. So to see this new way of living without slave labor is a shock to his previous assumptions. Although some parts of this narrative was hard to read, I really enjoyed reading this story!

“You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.”

In chapter nine, Douglass begins to talk in more detail about Thomas Auld. Because Auld was not born owning slaves he tries to immolate what he thinks a slave master should be. In out of his frustration of not knowing how to be a “slave master”, Thomas becomes very cruel to the slaves that he now owns. Also Douglass discusses the irony between slave masters and their relationship to Christianity. ( A  manner of organizing a work so as to give full expression to contradictory or complementary impulses, attitudes, etc., esp. as a means of indicating detachment from a subject, theme, or emotion.) Douglass writes that after Auld’s Christian conversion that he becomes even crueler to the slaves. Also Douglass discusses the notion of true and false Christians. He writes that the Christian community embraces Auld because his slave labor was benefiting them as well. But, also describes other members of this community that had sympathy for slaves. Another person that Douglass discusses that is a “false” Christian is Covey. The reader learns that Covey has forced a slave woman to have an affair with him. But, tries to cover up these acts by doing “Christianly Deeds”. The slaves refer to him as a snake, which is a direct reference to Satan. (a mention; allusion) The climax of this story is Douglass’s fight with Covey. (A decisive moment that is of maximum intensity or is a major turning point in a plot.) My favorite quote from this part book is during this fight. “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.” Douglass statement is so powerful. Douglass is one step closer to freedom.

Douglass's Personal Accounts

In chapter five, Douglass begins to focus on his personal stories. Douglass describes his own treatment at Colonial Lloyd’s planation is less harsh compared to other slaves. To me it becomes very clear why Douglass added the stories of the other slaves. If he had not done that the book would have not been has powerful as it is! But, also while reading these chapters I notice that Douglass takes on dual roles; the free and educated Douglass versus the abused slave Douglass. Also another duality is made aware to the reader in this narrative the Northern Cities versus the Southern Countryside. Douglass describes the Northern cities as having a lot of prosperity, enlighten people, and social freedom. On the other side, Douglass describes the Southern Countryside with limited freedom. Another motif that is made aware in this narrative is the damaging effects of slavery to both slaves and slave owners. (A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work.) For example, the reader can definitely see the negative impacts slavery had on Sophia Auld. When Douglass first arrives Sophia treats him equally with her son. But after the coaching of Hugh, she becomes very evil and mean. When I read this part, I just felt so much sorrow with this hateful transformation. Another theme in this narrative is the power of education. (A subject of artistic representation) Once Hugh Auld refuses Douglass’ attempts to become educated; it seems to enlighten Douglass. Douglass realizes in order to gain control over his situation is to become educated. In chapters seven and eight, Douglass uses digression technique when he goes out of chronological order of the story. (A temporary departure from the story to address a subject or an event.) He discusses how Sophia refuses to teach him how to read and also talks about his experiences with The Columbian Orator. Douglass also discusses his brief trip back to the Eastern Shore around age ten and then his return to Thomas Auld’s plantation three years later. I think Douglass uses this technique to have the reader focus more on the present themes then the time that has passed.

The Injustice of Slavery

The Narrative of Frederick Douglass is used to shine a light on some of the horrific actions that were taken against American Slaves. I found it quite sad to know that most slaves did not know about something as simple as their age. L That really broke my heart when I read that!! I also found it quite troubling that slave owners purposely keep slaves ignorant so they could control them. This narrative is also an argument against the statement that all Blacks are inferior to Whites. Douglass demonstrates that slavery is keep going by strategies of control not by natural superiority of Whites. Also while reading this narrative; you get a sense of just how evil slavery really was. In the first chapter, Douglass goes into great detail about slave women being forced to have sex with their master. This act was one of the many ways slave owners used to dehumanize and degrade slaves. Douglass uses very graphic imagery when describing the scene with Captain Anthony and Aunt Hester.( The use of vivid or figurative language to represent objects, actions, or ideas.)  He describes the brutal act very vividly. By using this imagery, the reader is able to sympathize and also become aware of the harshness of slavery.  Douglass continues to describe different events of abuse to slaves in chapters three and four. Sometimes this narrative almost feels like a novel instead of an autobiography because of the description of actions against other slaves. I think maybe Douglass does this to help the reader understand that not only did he have to suffer through such hardships but many, many other people suffered this same fate as well. I think the main theme of this narrative is the injustice of slavery. (A subject of artistic representation.) Douglass describes many slaves being murder; and no consequences against their killers. For example, Mr. Gore murders a slave for not returning out of the water once he had been beaten. Douglass uses a very ironic tone when describing Mr. Gore. (Poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended) Douglass describes Mr. Gore as a first rate over-seer. This plays on the injustice theme, because only a person with no sense of justice would agree with this statement.