preview

Frederick Douglass Ridicule Auld Analysis

Decent Essays

While reading Frederick Douglass’ “Letter to my Former Master” and “Letter to Henry C. Wright”, it became clear that both beautifully written pieces were criticisms of the receiver. While writing to Thomas Auld, the former master, Douglass does not go deliberately out of his way to insult Auld, instead, Douglass describes their relationship as “ long and intimate, by no means friendly [that] unhappily subsisted between [Auld] and [Douglass], leads [Douglass] to hope that [Auld] will easily account for the great liberty which [Douglass] now take in addressing [Auld] in this open and public manner.” Douglass does not want to ridicule Auld which adds to his negative demeanor towards slaves. Instead, Douglass is going to justify why it is …show more content…

Wright also criticizes the receiver. During the letter, Douglass indicated that Wright has not done enough to be an advocate of anti-slavery because Wright “[has not] acted quite consistently with [his charaver for promptness, in delaying [his] advice till he transaction was completed.” Douglass does not appreciate the two-sided ace of Henry C. Wright because as an advocate of anti-slavery, Wright should stand firmly against the sanction of robbing slaves for their independence. However, in this letter, Douglass is audacious of Wright. Douglass does not fear Wright because he knows that slaves who buy their freedom are not doing the correct thing. He knows that he is alright with being in Europe although everything he has ever worked for is in America. Frederick Douglass will not “sanction [the government’s] right to rob [him]” because he is naturally born with the right to be free. Henry C. Wright was an advocate for feminism, anti-slavery, and giving people their natural rights, but when it came to speaking about his views, Wright knew his reputation would plummet. Douglass continues to be audacious when “[he] does not think it would be very honorable pn [his] part, to remain silent during the whole transaction.” It is evident that Douglass not only wants slaves to be free, but he does not want the slaves to pay for their independence because that would lead to the leaders of the government to increase the fee of becoming

Get Access