Analysis Of Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass

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Recommended: Impact of slavery

Not many are aware of the horror that slavery in the United States was. Many only have knowledge of it from analyses or textbook readings, rarely ever having read firsthand accounts. These sources also generally only focus on the atrocities of slavery, then quickly shift to its abolishment, hardy ever elaborating on the change that came about to end the institution. Frederick Douglass’ autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, allows the reader to experience slave life through the eyes of Douglass. It also allows the person reading to understand the transformation of the American attitude towards slavery that ultimately led to its abolition. The autobiography fully encompasses the tenacity that Douglass possessed, with a never dying strive for freedom. Frederick Douglass was mulatto slave born to a white master (whom is believed to be his …show more content…

Finally having escaped, Douglass is draped in excitement and rejoice. His exceptional description of how it felt to be free lets the reader feel that excitement, and understand just how relieving it was to leave slavery. After having the assistance of a few kind persons, he begins settling his life as a free man. This marks a permanent point of prosperity for Douglass, as his life will only improve after being free from slavery.
The narrative ends with him attending an anti-slavery meeting where he “never felt happier" (69 Douglass). Although this is at the tail-end of the book, this represents the turning point of Douglass’ view of change. He finally saw people who didn’t see blacks as nothing more as cattle, but as people who did not deserve to be in bondage to their white masters. Suddenly being immersed in people who recognized the horror of slavery, and that they were proactive in implementing change, Douglass would be overcome with hope that slavery would no longer be a perpetual

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