Use of Facets in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Writers reveal their writings using many creative and different facets. In The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass uses many of these facets in his writing. One facet in particular, is the use of biblical allusions. From the beginning, Douglass associates the slaveholders with the power of evil through his choice of Christian terms. The use of Biblical references do not seem to be literary to the men of Douglass' time, as they are now. Knowledge of the Scriptures is common knowledge, and the author's allusions to Christian ideas enhance the readers' understanding, in this case for the Abolitionist. The abolitionist audience for whom Douglass wrote the Narrative, will certainly respond to an abundance of religious reference. From the start, Douglass associates the slaveholders with the forces of evil through his choice of traditional Christian terms and phrases such as the deeds of the slaveholders are "most infernal"; slavery itself is an "infernal character, purpose, work, and grasp” all refer to the actions of the oppressors. Fiendish, is another prevalent adjective and is perhaps the clearest illustration of Douglass' purpose in employing these traditional Christian terms for evil. The slave traders can have a description of as "fiends from perdition" who "never [look] more like their father, the devil." Mr. Plummer and Mr. Severe are known to be profane swearers; their blasphemy is further evidence of their sinfulness. Like their association with things infernal and fiendish, the slaveowners' "bitter curses and horrid oaths" mark them as "children of the devil." It is these who cause "the hottest hell of unending slavery." Douglass writes, “They were in very deed men and women of sorrow, and with grief, which is primarily describing Jesus. Douglass is comparing the slaves to who have little to no value to Jesus with very high value. Sparking the attention of the Abolitionist.

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Douglass uses biblical references to primarily discredit