Slavery's Negative Effects On Slaveholders

In his narratives, Frederick Douglass is successful in convincing his audience that slavery not only has a negative impact on slaves, but on slaveholders as well. Douglass describes slavery as dehumanizing and soul-killing. Slavery has sucked the life out of many people. It has stripped them of their innocence and tainted their minds with cruelty and hatred. Slavery damaged many slaves, but has also ruined the lives of many slaveholders. Douglass’ mistress, Mrs. Auld, is a prime example of slavery having a negative effect on slaveholders. Douglass stated, “My new mistress proved to be all she appeared when I first met her at the door,-- a woman of the kindest heart and finest feelings.” Mrs. Auld had never owned slaves prior to her marriage, therefore she was shielded from the ineffable sadness that slavery held. She didn’t approve of slaves bowing down to her and treating her like a master. In the beginning she had a kind heart and treated the slaves as equals. Douglass then stated, “The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work. That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon.” After owning slaves for some time, Mrs. Auld lost
that spark in her eye. She no longer cared for them and began treating them like the slaves they were. Slavery had broken her positive spirit and she was turned into a cold-hearted slaveholder. Equally important, the poor white boys demonstrated slavery’s negative impact. Douglass stated, “This bread I used to bestow upon the hungry little urchins, who, in return, would give me that more valuable bread of knowledge.” Douglass would feed the poor children in exchange for reading lessons. The boys didn’t mind that Douglass was a slave and wanted to help him. They had pure hearts and saw no wrong in teaching a friend to read. To sum up, they were not tainted by the effects of slavery because they weren’t exposed to it. Lastly, Mr.
Covey’s attitude towards slavery demonstrates how negatively it affects slaveholders. Douglass stated, “Mr. Covey had acquired a very high reputation for breaking young slaves, and this reputation was of immense value to him.” Mr. Covey’s reputation as a slave breaker filled his head with thoughts that he could not be broken. He was considered a saint because of what he did and was praised in church because of it. Being a slaveholder for so long had given him the idea that nothing was wrong with what he was doing. Mr. Covey didn’t realize that his actions were damaging slaves and damaging him inside as
well. In conclusion, slavery has an incredibly negative impact on both slaves and slaveholders. It dehumanized many people without them even realizing it. Many years of slavery has deepened slaves’ hatred and deepened slaveholders’ thirst for power. It has taken away slaves’ will to live and taken away slaveholders’ fear to die. Slavery has tainted the hearts of many.