The growth of domestic slave trade in the United States was induced after the official end of the African slave trade in 1808. Slaves were considered a piece of property and a source of labor, especially in the Southern cotton fields. The slave could be bought and sold like an animal. He or she was allowed no stable family life and little privacy. Law prohibited the slave from learning to read or write. Frederick Douglass was one slave who successively escaped the institution of slavery, and fought for freedom and equality for blacks. "Frederick Douglass wrote his narrative, hoping that it may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hasten the day when his brethren in bonds may be free- (Douglass 162). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave portrays many values of the south during the nineteenth century. In reflecting democratic and egalitarian values, the slave had no voice as to the way they were governed or the way they were treated socially. Equality was not a word used in the south. "There was no answering back to a white person; no explanation was allowed a slave, showing himself to have been wrongfully accused. It was better that a dozen slaves suffer under the lash, than that the overseer should be convicted, in the presence of the slaves, of having been at fault.- (Douglass 45). The slaves were not given nearly enough provisions. They were given a monthly allowance of food; a yearly supply of clothing which consisted of two shirts, two pair of trousers, one jacket, and a pair of shoes; and no bed, but a coarse blanket. Slaves were worked till exhaustion. The thought of the south was that the slave was put there for their disposal. Douglass's Narrative illustrates his views on evangelical Protestantism. "Evangelicalism grew into the religion of respectable' slaveholders as well as the faith of their slaves and poor neighbors- (Ayers 28).
Douglass had taken off one night and at his return the next morning he was greeted by Mr. ... That fight was, as Douglass put it, "The turning point in my career as a slave" (113). From that point on Douglass was respected as a slave which was very uncommon. Frederick Douglass's life was not like that of every other slave's. ... These treatments, however, differed from Douglass's in a lot of ways. ...
Though education made Douglass a smarter man, it made him a weaker one because of this reality. ... Douglass no longer feels like a brute after this incident and gains his bravery back. ... After learning of this, Douglass looks at things differently. ... Before making his actual excape, Douglass experiences more education. ... When free however, Douglass became happy and satisfied. ...
Like most slaves of the day, Frederick Douglass did not have close ties to his family. ... To prove his legitimacy Douglass published his first book in 1845, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. ... Douglass's abolitionist views were not only contained in America, Douglass also spread his word internationally. ... In October of 1847, Douglass created a newspaper called The North Star. ... Douglass played a crucial role during the civil war; it was Douglass that convinced Lincoln that the war was more than just the preservation of the Union. ...
As a young boy, Douglass was ignorant of his enslavement. ... After learning how read and write, Douglass commented, "From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom- (Douglass 275). ... This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise- (Douglass 273). ... After the fight, Douglass explained, "I felt as I never felt before. ... In his letter to Thomas Auld, Douglass wrote, "You, sir, can never know my feelings. ...
Douglass hides in a closet, thinking that he would be next. ... Douglass, however, used this as fuel to inspire his freedom. ... Douglass considers the first six months working for Mr. ... Not truly convinced, but complying anyhow, Douglass did as he was told. ... Douglass undoubtedly endured a traumatizing life. ...
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass In the book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an autobiography that was written himself. ... Even Douglass experiences the loss of food. ... (Douglass 63) Douglass only looked at this as just an act of meanness. ... She had served Douglass" old master all her life. ... (Douglass 65). ...
"Douglass Proves the American Dream" The American Dream is the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity, and a life of personal happiness and material comfort, traditionally held to be available for every American. Everyone's American Dream is different. There is not one dream for all Americans....
As Douglass passionately interrogates his audience, his internal dialogue is revealed. ... Douglass begins his speech with visions of a better of America. ... Douglass strengthens his rhetoric in the second half of his speech as it increases in tempo. ... - It is in this quote that Douglass' double consciousness is most salient. ... Douglass, then, directly addresses the hypocrisy of an independence day in the face of American slavery. ...
In Frederick Douglass" essay "Learning to Read and Write," Douglass portrays himself as an intelligent and dignified slave who's able to overcome the racial boundaries placed upon him. ... At first, Master Hugh's wife had started tutoring Douglass, teaching him the alphabet. ... The more Frederick Douglass learned, the more slavery became a burden. ... Young Douglass was enlightened with new ideas that both tormented and inspired him. ... So Douglass traveled to Mr. ...
