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The Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass
The Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass
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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
Works Cited:
Douglass, Frederick and William L. Garrison. Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an
<https://www.ibiblio.org/ebooks/Douglass/Narrative/Douglass_Narrative.pdf>.