An Analysis of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas

An Analysis of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas In the autobiography Frederick Douglass presents a clear picture to me of a horrifying period of American history that far too few people understand. Douglass’s personal narrative as a slave lets you feel the fear of his past and allows us to experience the suffering and pain inflicted by underserved beatings and an unhealthy lifestyle with too much physical exertion. Douglass expresses very personal feelings about his history and helps us to understand the intense hatred and disgust the American slave had for his possessor, and the sickness of hate that allowed human beings to keep other human being as slaves. The typical American slave standard of living was worse than†¦show more content†¦This was quite the main perception to their teachings to their slaves as being incapable of learning, fear kept the slaveholders from educating their slaves about the truth they consciously new. Douglass became convinced that the only way men can be enslaved is by remaining ignorant. This idea would pave the pathway to one of the greatest slave escapes of all time. The violence slaves endured was the most vivid representation in Douglass’ portrayal of slavery in the South. No emotion or rage was held back by slaveholders and no pity or sympathy was put forth either. Cruelty and abuse were the only means of control the slaveholders believed would keep order. The pain inflicted upon these individuals, even to the point of death in some cases, fueled the typical master’s obsession with domination and power. However, throughout Douglass’s turmoil, his religious faith remained exceptionally strong. At times he found himself questioning how might his God allow him to endure such grueling circumstances, but he never let his curiosity hinder his faith. He also questioned how a man could call himself a Christian and yet treat another human being in such a humane manner. Douglass could never comprehend how the slaveholders were able to justify slavery through their faith and church as some of his â€Å"owners† did. Frederick Douglass’ narrative proved to be quite the learning experience for me. I was blind and couldn’tShow MoreRelatedThe View from the Bottom Rail Essay703 Words   |  3 Pages The View from the Bottom Rail   In today’s society, racism and stereotyping occur in every aspect of life. No one should ever take anything for face value before they examine it first.  In reading the narrative, â€Å"The View from the Bottom Rail† by James Davidson and Mark Lytle and â€Å"Frederick Douglasss Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas† by Harold Bloom. I became very aware on how American history can be looked at as one sided or bias. Even in today’s society, thereRead MoreJacobs Douglass: An Insight Into The Experience of The American Slave1019 Words   |  5 PagesThe slave narratives of the ante-bellum time period have come across numerous types of themes. Much of the work concentrates on the underlining ideas beneath the stories. In the narratives, fugitives and ex-slaves appealed to the humanity they shared with their readers during these times, men being lynched and marked all over and women being the subject of grueling rapes. The slave narrative of Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl themes come from the existenceRead MoreKey Arguments in The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass1154 Words   |  5 Pagesa number of key arguments in â€Å"The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass†. A few of which include inequality, education, and Christianity as the keys to freedom in terms of its true values within the institution of slavery. While Frederick Douglass made some key arguments, he also made common ground to make his appeal for the abolition of slavery. One of the key arguments in â€Å"The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass† as well as in other narratives about slaves is inequality. DouglassRead MoreFrederick Douglass: Literary Analysis Essays1243 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass: Literary Analysis† In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass explains, in great detail, how slave master would use a variety of methods to dehumanize slaves located on their plantation. These methods involved both severe physical and psychological trauma. Nevertheless, Douglass remains diligent and finds a way to resist the harsh reality of being a slave. Because of his immovable desire to acquire knowledge to his fighting encounter with MrRead MoreEnslavement Disrupted the African’s Authentic Culture Essay1593 Words   |  7 Pagesauthentic cultures were drastically changed from the way of life in their native Africa to life in the plantation society of the Americas. In this essay, I will attempt to show how the conditions of enslavement disrupted all dimensions of the African’s authentic culture. To aid in my analysis, I will be using the â€Å"Reid Culture Conflict Model† as a guide and also drawing upon the works of Olaudah Equiano, Venture Smith, Frederick Do uglas, Harriet Jacobs, and William Wells Brown, the song â€Å"Pick a BaleRead MoreThe Plight of The African Slave Essay1558 Words   |  7 Pagesthe harsh life on the plantations. When this happened, their authentic cultures were drastically changed from the way of life in their native homelands in Africa to life in the plantation society of the American colonies. In this essay, I will attempt to show how the enslaved Africans’ authentic culture was immensely disrupted by using the â€Å"Culture Conflict Model† as a guide. To aid in my analysis, I will be drawing upon the works of Olaudah Equiano, Venture Smith, Frederick Douglas, Harriet JacobsRead MoreThe Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass1527 Words   |  7 Pageswere considered â€Å"property† of their slaveholders and had no control over their own life. They were victims of psychological and physical brutal treatment. This story represents confinement, slavery and the lack of power African people had in such a racist society back in those days. African talents were absolutely wasted and they were considered inferior to white individuals. The â€Å"Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass† simply addresses that white society was causing negative effects to itselfRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass Context1480 Words   |  6 PagesBehind Frederick Douglass context, Douglass was a former slave who became one of the most successful abolitionist of 19th century. With his oratorical and literacy appeals, in 1852, Douglass delivered a speech that changed the views of millions over the Fourth of July. By using the experience Douglas has encountered as a slave, the historical context to support his argument and certain rhetorical devices, Douglass remarks a speech in order for the leading citizens of Rochester to be aware of theRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass Context1479 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Behind Frederick Douglass context, Douglass was a former slave who became one of the most successful abolitionist of the 19th century. With his oratorical appeals, in 1852, Douglass delivered a speech that changed the views of millions over the Fourth of July. By using the experience Douglas has encountered as a slave, the historical context to support his argument and certain rhetorical devices, Douglass remarks a speech in order for the citizens of Rochester to be aware of the hypocrisyRead MoreNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Essay1182 Words   |  5 PagesNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass After escaping from slavery, Frederick Bailey changed his name to Frederick Douglass and became a prominent speaker in the abolitionist movement. He was so eloquent that proslavery opponents charged him with being a fraud who had never been a slave and challenged him to reveal the true facts of his life. Such an account was dangerous for Douglass, who could have been captured and returned to slavery for life, but he proceeded