Frederick Douglass I Subs Describe Me Analysis

Frederick Douglass end his autobiography with the phrase “I subscribe myself”, which sums up his point of being free and being himself. This paper will be particularly focus on the word “subscribe”, and show how he liberate himself through language and writing.
This book is an autobiography of Frederick Douglass. The word “autobiography” lead our understanding of the book to a new level. “Auto” means “self”, and “graphy” means map; therefore, it is implied that this piece is a map of Frederick Douglass’s life. It is also a piece that a map that lead the readers on to his journey of liberate himself. How he became a “human” from an “animal” and from a slave to a writer. He liberated himself not only physically, but also psychologically (on his thoughts) by writing this autobiography. The
Frederick Douglass gave his speech to a white dominant community, which takes courage and bravery to do so. The ending is ironic in a way because those people in the audience have absolutely no idea what he had been through in his life. The experience of being a slave made him a stronger person, and made him realize the importance of being liberal. He “subscribe himself” is a way to criticize the inequality of the society, and also to show that he finally gained ownership of himself. The word “subscribe” is an odd choice for ordinary speaking; however, the word here is firm, and it enhanced the level of confidence Frederick Douglass has towards himself. “I subscribe myself” can also be seen as him taking control of his own feelings through language and writing. When he was giving the speech, he made his point very clear. Knowledge is power, and power equals respect. It is essentially another message he sent to the people that indeed knowledge is power, but power should not be the reason one get privileged from the society. In the phrase, the word “myself” represents his faith, as well as his