Frederick Douglass: The Dehumanization Of African American Slaves
analytical Essay
1734 words
Frederick Douglass’ landmark narrative describes the dehumanization of African-American slaves, while simultaneously humanizing them through his moving prose. Douglass shows the dehumanization of slaves through depictions of violence, deindividuation, and the broken justice system. However, Douglass’ pursuit of an education, moving rhetoric, and critique of his own masters demonstrates to the reader that African-Americans are just as intelligent as white people, thus proving their humanity. Throughout the narrative, Douglas gives numerous examples of the dehumanizing violence towards slaves by their masters and overseers. This violence is explicitly described in Douglass’ depiction of Master Colonel Lloyd and his overseer, Austin Gore. …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frederick douglass' landmark narrative describes the dehumanization of african-american slaves, while humanizing them through his moving prose.
- Analyzes how douglas' masterful use of imagery leaves the reader with a mental picture of pain and anguish that should not be experienced by anyone.
- Analyzes how douglass uses parallelism by pairing each animal with man, woman, and child, which shows the slave holder’s thought process when valuing each human/animal.
- Analyzes how douglass' assertion that "to be accused was to be convicted" shows the injustice displayed towards african-americans. they were not even granted a fair trial.
- Analyzes how douglass used his creativity and intelligence to exploit the naiveté of children to trick them into teaching him how to read and write. by obtaining an education and displaying it in his narrative, he was able to demonstrate that african-americans are just as human as white men.
- Analyzes how douglass eloquently and efficiently re-humanizes african americans by using his vocabulary and complex syntax to manipulate the english language.
- Analyzes how douglass' constant critiquing of his own masters serves to justify his humanity. he angrily compares slaves and slave owners, using his personal struggles as a reference point.
Slaves are stripped of information about themselves, as depicted in Douglass’ unknowing of his own birthday. This alone is significant in removing one’s self-identity, for slaves have no knowledge of their own age. Furthermore, slaves were separated from their families, taking away one of the only senses of comfort and belonging in the harsh plantation. Douglass also references a moment where Colonel Lloyd does not even recognize his own slave, because he has so many of them. This is also supported by Douglass describing how quickly slaves were replaced if they committed a misdemeanor. This suggests that Colonel Lloyd sees his slaves as replaceable objects/tools, rather than actual human beings. Perhaps an even more moving moment was when Douglass was sent to be “valued” with other slaves and ranked with “horses, sheep, and swine,” following the death of his former Master. Douglass cleverly uses parallelism by pairing each animal with man, woman, and child, respectively. This shows the slave holder’s thought process when valuing each human/animal: they are equal. In this situation, Douglass describes his indignation by commenting on the brutalizing effects of slavery on the slave and the slave holder alike. So, by equating humans to animals, they are not only stripped of their self-identity as individuals, but also their self-identity as …show more content…
While writing about the dehumanizing nature of slavery, Douglass eloquently and efficiently re-humanize African Americans. This is most evident throughout the work as a whole, yet specific parts can be used as examples of his artistic control of the English language. From the beginning of the novel, Douglass’ vocabulary is noteworthy with his use of words such as “intimation […] odiousness […] ordained.” This more advanced vocabulary is scattered throughout the narrative, and is a testament to Douglass’ education level. In conjunction with his vocabulary, Douglass often employed a complex syntax which shows his ability to manipulate the English language. This can be seen in Douglass’ self-description of preferring to be “true to [himself], even at the hazard of incurring ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and incur [his] own abhorrence.” This is significant because it proves that Douglass can not only simply read and write, but he has actually obtained a mastery of reading and writing. This is a highly humanizing trait because it equates him in education level to that of the stereotypical white man, and how could one deny that the white man is human because of his greater education? It is primarily the difference in education that separates the free from the slaves, and Douglass is able to bridge this gap as a pioneer of the
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- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, brings to light many of the social injustices that colored men, women, and children all were forced to endure throughout the nineteenth century under Southern slavery laws. Douglass's life-story is presented in a way that creates a compelling argument against the justification of slavery. His argument is reinforced though a variety of anecdotes, many of which detailed strikingly bloody, horrific scenes and inhumane cruelty on the part of the slaveholders. Yet, while Douglas’s narrative describes in vivid detail his experiences of life as a slave, what Douglass intends for his readers to grasp after reading his narrative is something much more profound. Aside from all the physical burdens of slavery that he faced on a daily basis, it was the psychological effects that caused him the greatest amount of detriment during his twenty-year enslavement. In the same regard, Douglass is able to profess that it was not only the slaves who incurred the damaging effects of slavery, but also the slaveholders. Slavery, in essence, is a destructive force that collectively corrupts the minds of slaveholders and weakens slaves’ intellects.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how douglass's life-story creates a compelling argument against the justification of slavery.
- Illustrates how slaveholders used contrived strategies to justify keeping an entire race of people enslaved. they used any possible means to gain power over blacks, making them vulnerable.
- Explains that slavery's destructive nature inflicted on slaves was that they were mentally oppressed in the area of education. the reason behind this was no mystery to douglass.
- Opines that it was necessary to keep our religious masters at st. michael's unacquainted with the fact that instead of spending the sabbath in wrestling, boxing, and drinking whisky, we were trying to learn how to read the will of god.
- Analyzes how douglass learned to read, and the injustices of the system became transparent to him, inspiring him to work harder to attain freedom. slaves attributing education was the epiphany that the slaveholders did not want to witness.
- Explains how the system of slavery was damaging to a slave's intellect. many slaveholders found that the easiest way to accomplish this task was by brainwashing them into believing that they are living marvelous lives.
- Narrates how they traced their first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery.
- Analyzes how douglass' form of mental captivity is imprisonment through complacency. the slaves are resigned to their condition and unaware of the possibility of a better future in the outside world.
- Analyzes how douglass shows the slaves' ignorance of any way of life other than the one they endure by serving under hugh auld in baltimore.
- Analyzes how slavery corrupts and mentally enslaves the white slaveholder, sophia auld, invoking images similar to those of a demonic possession.
- Analyzes how douglass argued that slaveholders' minds were corrupted by slavery and used the christian faith to rationalize their behavior of treating the slaves like animals and disrespecting slave families and marriages.
- Analyzes douglass' narrative to show the barbarity and injustice of slavery, but the underlying argument is that freedom is achieved through a mental liberation from the attitude created by southern slavery.
1652 wordsRead More - Frederick Douglass Slaveryanalytical essayThroughout the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, written by Frederick Douglass himself, the reader is given thoughtful insight into the slave condition and the institution of slavery as a whole. One learns very soon of the authoritative and controlling nature of the slave master, who, using the overseer as his pawn, is able to maintain control over his slaves and his planation through an amalgamation of both physical and mental abuse. Slaves are lead to believe that they are innately inferior to whites and are kept ignorant, unable to read or write, and unaware of the world outside their plantation. They are indoctrinated from birth through fear, for if any slave deviates from this merciless power structure, they face brutal punishment and even the possibility of death. Despite this seemingly insurmountable reality, Frederick Douglass, a slave for over twenty years, was able to resist. He gradually became aware of the psychology of the slave owners, and the immense power that they wielded. Douglass was able to escape the oppressive, exploitative, and controlling power structure of slavery by resolving to overcome his forced ignorance, and to unite his fellow slaves, realizing, along the way, his sense of self and innate integrity.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frederick douglass, a slave for over twenty years, was able to escape the oppressive, exploitative, and controlling power structure of slavery by resolving to overcome his forced ignorance and unite his fellow slaves.
- Analyzes how douglass learns of the rotten foundation of slavery--ignorance, and realizes that the pathway to freedom is through literacy.
- Analyzes how douglass, who was separated from his mother as an infant, understood the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty to one's fellow slaves.
- Analyzes how frederick douglass is introduced to the horrors of slavery as a child, when he witnesses the beating of his aunt hester. the brutal physical abuse and paralyzing fear of possible abuse serve as the cement that holds the institution together.
- Analyzes how douglass realizes the injustices done to his people and learns about the slave system. he fights back against covey and attains integrity and dignity.
- Analyzes how the narrative is an insightful account of the psychology of slave owners and the merciless power the institution as a whole. frederick douglass refused to fall prey to this immoral system, resolving instead to fight back.
1390 wordsRead More - Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass Ethos Essayanalytical essayIn, “The Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass”, readers get a first person perspective on slavery in the South before the Civil War. The author, Frederick Douglass, taught himself how to read and write, and was able to share his story to show the evils of slavery, not only in regard to the slaves, but with regard to masters, as well. Throughout Douglass’ autobiography, he shares his disgust with how slavery would corrupt people and change their whole entire persona. He uses ethos, logos, and pathos to help establish his credibility, and enlighten his readers about what changes needed to be made.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how , frederick douglass, taught himself how to read and write, and was able to share his story to show the evils of slavery. he shares his disgust with how slavery would corrupt people and change their whole persona.
- Analyzes how douglass uses rhetorical appeal, ethos, to provide the credence of his statements and identify himself to the reader.
- Analyzes how douglass appeals to pathos in his narrative through quotes and traumatic events. by creating such an analogy, he provokes guilty and sympathetic emotion from his readers.
- Analyzes how douglass appeals to logos by persuading his audience to help abolish slavery and create a society of equality among humanity.
- Opines that frederick douglass' story and words touched many people, and helped diminish a severe slavery issue. his purpose to eliminate discrimination towards african americans has effectively reached thousands of readers.
616 wordsRead More - During the time of slavery, slaves were put to work on plantation, fields, and farms. They were considered property to their slave-owners and put under unfair living conditions. Growing up in this era, we can see the injustice between white and colored people. And one slave by the name of Fredrick Douglass witnessed this unjust tension. And because of this tension, dehumanizing practices became prominent among the slaves and in slave society. The most prominent of these injustices is the desire of slave owners to keep their slaves ignorant. This practice sought to deprive the slaves of their human characteristics and made them less valued. Fredrick Douglass was able to endure and confront this issue by asserting his own humanity. He achieved
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how fredrick douglass witnessed the injustice between white and colored people during the time of slavery. he asserted his humanity through education and knowledge.
- Analyzes how fredrick douglass was born into slavery during the early 1800s where he grew up in maryland. the act of a slave owner to keep their slave ignorant shows how slaves were dehumanized.
- Narrates how fredrick learned to read and spell letters, but mr. auld forbade his mistress to not instruct him further.
- Analyzes how fredrick learns that through education, there exists some sort of enlightenment. because the boys sympathized with him, his convictions were able to grow.
- Explains how fredrick was able to feel happiness and love with his friends from the gut when he was in the sabbath school.
- Explains that learning to read and write helped fredrick assert his humanity, but it also brought a negative quality to it.
- Explains that slavery is a method of oppressing someone of their human qualities. fredrick douglass was able to discover the road to his liberation by learning, reading and writing.
1717 wordsRead More - The Use of Rhetorical Devices in The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass written by Frederick Douglassanalytical essayThe Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass written by Frederick Douglass himself is a brutally honest portrayal of slavery's dehumanizing capabilities. The style of this famous autobiography can be best described as personal, emotional, and compelling. By writing this narrative, Douglass wants his audience to understand him. He does this by speaking informally like a person would when writing a letter or telling a story to a friend. By clearly establishing his credibility and connecting with his audience, Douglass uses numerous rhetorical devices to argue for the immorality of slavery.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the narrative of the life of frederick douglass is a brutally honest portrayal of slavery's dehumanizing capabilities.
- Analyzes how douglass' narrative was groundbreaking because he had never been able to speak about their own horrific experiences.
- Analyzes how douglass established himself on a level playing field as his audience in order for his intelligence to be taken seriously.
- Analyzes how douglass' narrative enables him to flaunt his hard-earned education. his diction brings pathos to his work and lets his audience feel the indignity of being owned by another person.
- Recalls the first time they witnessed this horrible exhibition as a child. they wish they could commit to paper the feelings with which they beheld it.
- Analyzes how douglass' education was hard-work and success, but he is also aware of the limitations of language. the graphic description of her abuse makes readers feel some anger.
- Analyzes how douglass uses irony to reveal the flaws in the logic of slave trade. in chapter three, he describes the obsessive attention his former master, colonel lloyd, paid to his horses.
- Analyzes how douglass argues that if the curse is a valid reason for the enslavement of african people, it proves that slavery will soon be abolished.
- Analyzes how douglass realizes that literacy is equated with not only individual consciousness but also freedom. from that day on, he makes it his goal to learn as much as possible, eventually learning how to write.
- Analyzes how the narrative acts as a form of protest literature against slavery and also persuades the reader that douglass has been transformed.
696 wordsRead More - Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysisanalytical essayAmerica in the mid to early nineteenth century saw the torture of many African Americans in slavery. Plantation owners did not care whether they were young or old, girl or boy, to them all slaves were there to work. One slave in particular, Frederick Douglass, documented his journey through slavery in his autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Through the use of various rhetorical devices and strategies, Douglass conveys the dehumanizing and corrupting effect of slavery, in order to show the overall need for American abolition. His use of devices such as parallelism, asyndeton, simile, antithesis, juxtaposition and use of irony, not only establish ethos but also show the negative effects of slavery on slaves, masters and
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frederick douglass documented his journey through slavery in his autobiography narrative of the life of frederick
- Analyzes how douglass uses parallelism, asyndeton, and simile to appeal to pathos in order to show the everyday dehumanization of slaves.
- Analyzes how douglass contrasts the shift in sophia auld's character through antithesis and metaphor after being exposed to slavery.
- Analyzes how douglass uses rhetorical devices and irony to convey the corrupting impact of slavery on southern religion to express the need for its elimination from society.
- Analyzes how douglass uses irony, allusion, and parallelism to highlight how slavery is impacting southern religion in a negative aspect.
- Analyzes how douglass demonstrates the need for the elimination of slavery to save not only african americans, but also slave masters and southern religion.
1348 wordsRead More - Dehumanization and Freedom in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass The issue of slavery in antebellum America was not black and white. Generally people in the North opposed slavery, while inhabitants of the South promoted it. However, many people were indifferent.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frederick douglass wrote his narrative to persuade the indifferent northern residents to see slavery as a degrading practice.
- Analyzes how frederick douglass emphasizes the dehumanization aspect of slavery throughout his narrative. he is separated from his mother early in infancy and put under the care of his grandmother.
- Analyzes how douglass carves the vivid picture of dehumanization into the reader's minds when he writes about the whippings slaves endure.
- Analyzes how douglass recalls the scene at feeding time resembled that of dumping out the garbage and having rats fight over the best pieces. the slaves are treated like animals and not like people.
- Analyzes how douglass recalls hearing the incoherent slave songs as testimony against slavery and a prayer to god for release from chains.
- Explains that douglass is astonished that some in the north consider the slave's singing as evidence of happiness, but he wants freedom and gets it when moving from the country to the city.
- Explains that for douglass, moving to baltimore is a major turning point in his life because it is where he learns how to read and write.
- Analyzes how douglass is broken to the point of wanting to take his life and that of mr. covey, but a flicker of hope keeps him going.
- Analyzes how douglass struggles with leaving his friends and loved ones in baltimore. the bonds that the slaves formed with each other were essential for their survival on the plantations.
- Describes how douglass settles down with his newly wedded wife, anna, in new bedford, massachusetts, with the help of mr. and mrs. nathan johnson.
- Analyzes how douglass is surprised to find that the north, without slave labor, can be so prosperous. he sees in mr. johnson, the embodiment of the free colored person.
- Concludes that frederick douglass' narrative is instrumental in swaying the views of the indifferent northern residents.
1733 wordsRead More - In The Narrative of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, an African American male describes his day as a slave and what he has become from the experience. Douglass writes this story to make readers understand that slavery is brutalizing and dehumanizing, that a slave is able to become a man, and that he still has intellectual ability even though he is a slave. In the story, these messages are shown frequently through the diction of Frederick Douglass.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the narrative of frederick douglass explains that slavery is brutalizing and dehumanizing, and that a slave is able to become man.
- Analyzes how douglass describes his life as a slave in ways that are brutalizing and dehumanizing.
- Analyzes how douglass uses diction to prove to readers that a slave is able to become man, no matter what experiences they have had.
- Analyzes how douglass uses diction to prove his intellectual ability even if he is a slave. words like gratification, triumph, compensation, and repelled are used to give proper descriptions of his experiences.
- Analyzes how the narrative of frederick douglass is written with strong wording to get his point across. he wants readers to realize that slavery is brutalizing and dehumanizing, and that some slaves, like himself, have intellectual ability.
902 wordsRead More - In sum, all of these key arguments exist in “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” because of the institution of slavery and its resulting lack of freedom that was used to defend it. This text’s arguments could all be gathered together under the common element of inequality and how it affected the practical, social, and even spiritual lives of the slaves.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the key arguments in "the narrative of the life of frederick douglass", including inequality, education, and christianity as the keys to freedom within the institution of slavery.
- Analyzes how douglass portrays african-american slaves as human beings like their white counterparts, and argues that perceptions of inequality are flawed.
- Analyzes how the power of education was a key argument in "the narrative of the life of frederick douglass".
- Analyzes how douglass juxtaposes both forms of christianity to reveal the underlying hypocrisy of slavery in the south and the future value of his version of true christianity.
- Analyzes how douglass, a fugitive, uses examples of his life to prove each corruption to make his appeal to the oppressors effective.
- Analyzes how all of these key arguments exist in "the narrative of the life of frederick douglass" because of slavery and its resulting lack of freedom that was used to defend it.
1143 wordsRead More - Goal to Abolish Slavery in the Autobiography The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglassanalytical essayAccording to Douglass, the treatment of a slave was worse than that of an animal. Not only were they valued as an animal, fed like an animal, and beaten like an animal, but also a slave was reduced to an animal when he was just as much of a man as his master. The open mentality a slave had was ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the narrative of the life of frederick douglass gives a first-person perspective on the life of an slave laborer in both the rural south and the city.
- Analyzes how frederick douglass' autobiography talks of how slaves and masters were corrupted by the labor system that was deeply entrenched in the south as a result of demand for cotton, and other labor-intensive crops.
- Analyzes how douglass' view of a slave's treatment was worse than that of an animal. the open mentality was destroyed through the forbidden nature of reading and learning and by the constant drunkenness put on the slaves during holidays.
- Narrates how frederick douglass moved into a lady's home who had never known of slavery, but she eventually forbade him from reading and whipped him at her husband’s command.
- Analyzes how henry thought of the unfairness in working and paying the wages he had earned to a master who had no right to them at all. small acts of disobedience ended in the murder of many slaves.
- Opines that nature can teach us anything we may need to know.
- Analyzes douglass' point that the north was better off than the south despite its lack of slave labor. abolishing slavery was one of the greatest stepping stones that our country has ever touched.
766 wordsRead More