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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is considered one of the main books

that point out the slave trade, and the legacy it left behind. The 1845 treatise and memoir

wrote by Frederick Douglass, an orator, and former salve dwells on the abolition of slavery

during the 19th century. It expounds on the various themes such as slavery and suffering,

among others. Slavery, for instance, is one of the main aspects that Frederick wanted to

convince people on how wrong it was, questioning on aspects such as its justification and the

meaning of freedom.

The book also recounts the journey of Frederick as a slave, among others, and how

they suffered during this particular period. The vivid image brought about by Frederick on

the plight of minorities and slavery would be considered as the main aspects that led to the

rise of abolitionism (Douglass and Garrison 95). However, it is essential to note that the

plight and prevalence of slavery did not only affect minorities such as Frederick and other

slaves but also had an effect on the white settlers and slave owners as well.

Slavery had a damaging effect on slave owners, as depicted by Frederick in his book.

These slave owners' irresponsible and corrupt power over their 'property' affected their oral

health. It was evident in Mrs. Sophia Auld, who Frederick considered as her being different

from any other white person he had ever met (Douglass and Garrison 26). He found her as
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kind and friendly since she had never owned a slave before. However, it was not long since

her personality changed for the worse when handling Frederick as a slave.

Mrs. Auld had taught Frederick how to read. However, this was short-lived as Mr.

Auld condemned such actions by her wife. Mr. Auld argued that teaching a slave "on how to

read would be no keeping him," and it would not make them be considered as slaves

(Douglass and Garrison 29). Slavery had a huge negative impact, not only to the minorities

but also to the white slave owners. Through such an understanding, Frederick tries to

convince all the white readers, from both the north and the south, on how slavery is bad on

morals, religious, legal, and economic grounds. The corruption that slavery brought about to

white people saw individuals such as Mrs. Sophia Auld changing her attitude and perception

of slaves.

It is also evident that white slave owners were also affected by slavery. Most of them

became tempted to commit rape and adultery with their female slave, and this led them to

father children with them. It was detrimental to the slave owner's family, where they would

be forced to either punish or sell their children since they were considered 'a constant

reminder of their husbands' infidelity' (Douglass and Garrison). On the other hand (such as

Mrs. Auld), became more resentful and cruel to their husbands and slaves as well.

The effect slavery had during the 19th century affected not only the minorities but

also the white plantation owners. These adverse effects on white plantation owners corrupt

their view of slaves, where they would be considered as mere property rather than human

beings. It is evident when Thomas (Mr. and Mrs. Auld's son), transforms from a cruel slave

owner to a crueller one (Douglass and Garrison 45). Aspects such as religion are seen to have

a role in affecting the notion of slavery on white plantation owners, thus giving them a wrong

justification for its validity.

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Works Cited:

Douglass, Frederick and William L. Garrison. Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an

American slave. Boston: Anti-slavery Office, 1845.

<https://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Douglass/Narrative/Douglass_Narrative.pdf>.