Narrative Of The Life Of Fredrick Douglass, An American Slave

Sydney Thompson Professor Dennard History to 1877 15 November 2015
Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave
Summary

In the narrative written by Fredrick Douglass, Douglass touches many hands-on points that many people, during the time, had no idea what the concept of slavery truly meant and how it not only effected slaves, but also, slaveholders. Douglass did an amazing job of remaining unapologetic and powerful throughout the story. Not only did the reader have a clear view of Douglass's treatment from childhood to adulthood, but he also highlighted focus on things like the treatment of women, the attitude of slaveholders, and how slavery impacted specific people. After completely reading the narrative, the theme
Aunt Hester, for one, was a great example for the harsh treatment of women. A lot of times, women were abused and used. Douglass specifically recalled one night when he watched as his Aunt Hester get so brutally beaten that he could only watch as he feared for his own safety. Douglass remembered feeling hopeless because he knew that there was nothing he could do. Another time in the book, he stated that women could be used specifically for "breeding" and the owners would allow men to rape their women for the pure reason of adding slaves to the plantation. The elderly didn't seem to get much justice either. Since they were often too old to work, slaveholders viewed them as useless. After a character named Betsy Bailey, was dropped off in the woods instead of being set free after completing all her duties as a slave the reader really began to see the cruel world of slavery. Fortunately Douglass was lucky enough to become educated. Once Douglass began to learn, a whole new light came into the book. Finally a sense of hope and humanity has been seen. Once Douglass began to learn the alphabet from Sophia Auld the story took a turn. Douglass realized that by keeping slaves uneducated that is the power
As readers we got to read a story that was projected in a powerful tone of a former slave, which is still mind blowing. The book was so nicely written in the sense that we got so many aspects of his story. We saw Douglass from childhood to adulthood, from ignorant to knowledgeable, and grow from a slave’s mindset to a free man’s mentality. How many times do you get these aspects in books? Rarely. I cannot blame Douglass for seeming somewhat unapologetic, because after seeing the life he was given he had to be. I can see how people could take offense to this, but that’s only if you didn't receive the message of his true struggle as a slave. Even when all the odds are against you if you remain hopeful and knowledgeable there are no limits. Not even to a slave. That is the true strengths that Douglass acclaimed while writing this book. Unfortunately while reading, I had an overwhelming sense of sadness. I felt sad for my people and their treatment. I felt as if I was a lot more sympathetic than Douglass, which to me was his biggest weakness. Slavery is such a sensitive topic and can really hit home for many people whether white or black. Since Douglass held this unapologetic tone it seemed as if he was desensitized by slavery. Douglass had a job to enlighten people on what slavery was truly about. Because he had this duty, I feel like he spoke on his experiences and kept things factual so that people would know. It