Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

“You are a product of your environment.”- W. Clement. The way you were raised, the people who raised you and the community that you are raised in all play a role in who you are as an individual. Constantly throughout time the way an individual defines themselves is based on their roots, the actions or reactions that have built a foundation of who they’re today. Through the lens of a slave later turned into one of the largest faces of abolitionist acts, Frederick Douglass creates “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” in which he accounts the community he was raised in and the constant fear instilled within his community as well as his later assimilation into new communities and possibly being responsible for creation of a

“Whilst I was saddened by the thought of losing the aid of my kind mistress, I was gladdened by the invaluable instruction which, by the merest accident, I had gained from my master. Though conscious of the difficulty of learning without a teacher, I set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble, to learn how to read. The very decided manner with which he spoke, and strove to impress his wife with the evil consequences of giving me instruction, served to convince me that he was deeply sensible of the truths he was uttering. It gave me the best assurance that I might rely with the utmost confidence on the results which, he said, would flow from teaching me to read.” (Douglass, 29-30).

The son of a slave woman and an unknown white man, "Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey" was born in February of 1818 on Maryland's eastern shore. His father was more than likely his mothers slave master, which was not uncommon during these times. Fredrick spent his early years of life with his grandparents and an aunt. At about the age of six, his grandmother took him to the plantation of his master and left him there. Not being told by her that she was going to leave him, Douglass never recovered from the betrayal of the abandonment. He only saw his mother four or five times before her death when he was only seven. All Douglass knew of his father was that he was a white man. During this time he was exposed to the degradations of slavery, witnessing firsthand brutal whippings and spending much time cold and hungry.

Humans have come a long way, being able to create advanced technology, many different ways to communicate with one another, and many different ways to live, and each human in the world has a role in the world. Each human is unique and have many different traits that define one another. For example, in Frederick Douglass’s “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, written by Frederick Douglass himself, is an autobiography of his life growing up around slavery and his path to freedom, and also how becoming literate changed his whole perspective on the way he lived. Another example would be in Abraham Lincoln’s 2nd Inaugural Address, where he discusses the fact that the civil war was unnecessary and also how the country should end the war and that they should help each other rebuild the nation together. A final example would be in The Minister’s Black Veil, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, who writes about Mr. Hooper who wears a black veil, and the townspeople have no clue why he’s wearing it, and this scares the town and the people around him. This veil holds a heavy toll on him because it represents his sins that he needs to atone for. Although humans are naturally evil and make decisions that are based to benefit themselves, ultimately the trait of the human is to be cowardice, fearful, and optimistic, therefore we should not succumb to our greediness and instead become a better person.

“My mother was of a darker complexion than either my grandmother or grandfather. My father was a white man. He was admitted to be such by all I ever heard speak of my parentage.”

By reading the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, one is able to further their knowledge of certain aspects of slavery that aren’t always talked about. In this work, one is able to learn more about what Frederick Douglass has to face as a slave, and even what he faces once he escapes. There should be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that Frederick Douglass—and every slave—faces many hardships throughout their lives. Even so, Douglass remains optimistic that what he faces will lead to a better outcome: “Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” This quote applies to many of the hardships he’s faced, as he is often able to take a bad situation and make something good out of it. While

Who is affected by slavery? Frederick Douglass would argue that all people are damaged by the establishment of a slave state throughout his masterpiece by displaying to the reader how cruel people become when they diminish humans to mere possessions. In “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, Frederick Douglass in addition to revealing the horrors committed upon black slaves, shows a unique perspective on how slavery negatively affects white slave owners themselves. Slavery does in fact affect the slave owner and Douglas experiences this first hand through Sophia Auld by slowly watching her decay from being a caring person that even educated Douglass, to a cruel bitter slave owner that no longer cared about him.

Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Talbot County, Maryland. He was unsure about the day of his birth or the year. He believed that it was around 1817 or 1818. He was raised by his grandmother, Betty Bailey, who came into his life after his mother died when he was 10. After a long life of slavery he finally escaped. During his life he spoke at many anti-slavery conventions and abolitionist meetings. Eventually many people began to question the fact that he even was a slave. To prove to them, he wrote “A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”. This piece shows how terrible and horrendous his life was.

Who is afflicted by slavery? Frederick Douglass would argue that all people are damaged by the establishment of a slave state throughout his masterpiece by displaying to the reader how cruel people become when they diminish humans to mere possessions. In “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, Frederick Douglass in addition to revealing the horrors committed upon black slaves, shows a unique perspective on how slavery negatively affects white slave owners themselves. Slavery does in fact affect the slave owner and Douglas experiences this firsthand through Sophia Auld by slowly watching her decay from being a caring person that even educated Douglass, to a cruel bitter slave owner that no longer cared about him.

Everyone would agree that education helps develop us into who we are and what we can become. We are able to explore new ideas and concepts, which leads to more knowledge. In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass is thrown into a new world of knowledge and opportunity, once he learns how to read and write. Through his knowledge, he learns more about his situation and potential. Douglass discovers that a slave was set free by persuading his master, and as a result, this information makes Douglass an avid learner. He understands that education is his only way out of slavery. Education empowers people to make good decisions and paves a future that provides opportunities. An education can open doors that were once closed.

Literacy rates have declined at a rapid rate due to the neglect of available educational resources and opportunities. Our country has failed at preparing our youth and will continue to do so unless a change is made. A decline in literacy rates have been a result of many unnecessary changes that may lead our country into a literacy depression. Improper education, limited access to books, technology, and poor role models all has made literacy spiral downward. We should ask ourselves what we can do and not try to do in order to make literacy rates rise.

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass was an autobiography written by Fredrick Douglass himself. There are tons of books written about slavery, but this narrative is one of the first accounts written by an actual slave. Douglass talks about the horror stories behind the lives of many slaves. Douglas’s father was a slave owner and his mother was a slave named Harriet Bailey, which means Douglass was born biracial. Within the autobiography he talks about life as a slave on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Baltimore throughout the younger years of his life. He also discusses how slave owners would rape their slave women to satisfy both their sexual

Former slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, uses his words to be a leading spokesman for his people. In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he gives the reader descriptive visuals of his childhood, his disturbing experiences as a slave, as well as, a glimpse of his escape to freedom and the aftermath. With this book many questions may arise, but Douglass answers each question thoroughly.

In 1845, an African-American man named Frederick Douglass released a thought-provoking autobiography that would become a turning point in revolutionary change. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass was the first autobiography Douglass had written focusing on the real life struggles he has faced during his time spent in bondage. During his time, it was not common for an African-American to have the skills to read and write, and it was especially uncommon to publish a novel revealing the truth of slavery, while it was still legal at that time. Provoking revolutionary thought amongst his readers, this narrative will change the world in ways of equality, speaking for the oppressed, and inducing the philosophical thought of what it means to truly be free.

In The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass portrays the importance of education because of its influence in leveling the playing field between the races in the 1800s. Education and knowledge are themes that are heavily dwelled upon throughout the novel, inspiring the reader to see the full power of such important ideals and to take the full advantage of both at all times. Douglass gives the reader a new appreciation for education as he delivers his message regarding the inhumanity involved in taking away something so powerful.