Differences Between Mary Prince And Frederick Douglass

The quest for freedom came at a loss for most Black Slaves across the world. Most dreamt about it, others tried to go after it. Few truly obtained it. This causes me to think, what is freedom, and what does it mean truly to be free. Webster’s Dictionary defines freedom as “ Independence, Liberty, ease of movement, a right.” If we were to go by this somewhat simple definition, we could say Frederick Douglas and Mary Prince gained freedom. But, the path they both took to get it was far from being the same. Their journeys to freedom posed many different complications, but the major difference in their experiences is because of gender. Black women as a whole have had to deal with many different types of degrading sexist/sexual exploitations. Therefore,
“Not that he meant to sell me, but he did this to please his wife and to frighten me.” When reflecting on this incident it causes me to question why exactly was Mrs.Wood so displeased with Mary Prince and why was her husband willing to act as if he so willing to get rid of her. One can only speculate since Mary Prince does not speak of any sexual encounters between herself and her master. When consulting Bell Hooks’ book, Ain’t I woman, she suggests that “Most white woman regarded black women who were objects of their husbands’ sexual assaults with hostility and rage.” When moving forward through Mary Prince’s narrative we find again that is becomes ill and Mrs.Wood is so dissatisfied with her work that she complains to her husband again. He in turn sent her away to find someone else to buy her. This time, however, Mary Prince was prepared. “I went to Mr.Burchell, showed him the note, and asked him to buy me for my own benefit; for I had saved about 100 dollars, and hoped with a little help, to purchase my freedom.” Again Mr.Woods takes back his note and in return takes back the idea of Mary Prince being set free. Mary Prince goes on for years having these types of incidents with the Wood family. Eventually, on a trip to England with the Woods she is set free, but not without consequence. While in England Mr.Wood gave Mary Prince an ultimatum, either she
As a child he lost his innocence when he saw his Aunt Hester beaten for running of to be with another slave named Ned. “I was terrified and horror-stricken at the sight, that I hid myself in a closet, and dared not venture out till longer after the bloody transaction was over. I expected it would be my turn next.” From this moment on Frederick Douglas is aware of the beatings that occur around him. At first he does not talk about himself being beaten regularly or even getting in trouble. He seemed to have made good connections, especially with his first master. “I was seldom whipped by my master, and suffered little from any thing else than hunger and cold.” , because of this relationship with his master he was afforded the opportunity to go to Baltimore and work for a family there. Going to Baltimore was the catalyst of him finding what he thinks is the key to freedom, education. Very soon after he began living with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, Mrs.Auld began to teach him the alphabet. Though, it was not this that made him value learning to read, or education as a whole for that matter. It was her husband’s response “..if you teach that nigger to (speaking of myself) how to read there will be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave.” Frederick Douglas used this to drive his way to freedom. For