Key Arguments in "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass"
analytical Essay
1143 words
There are a number of key arguments in “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”. A few of which include inequality, education, and Christianity as the keys to freedom in terms of its true values within the institution of slavery. While Frederick Douglass made some key arguments, he also made common ground to make his appeal for the abolition of slavery. One of the key arguments in “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” as well as in other narratives about slaves is inequality. Douglass attempts to show us how African American slaves were still human beings like their white counterparts, there have been numerous instances where it is shown that many whites did not want to accept slaves as true humans. Frederick Douglass also perceived racial inequalities at a very young age and notes “I do not remember ever met a slave who could tell his or her birthday. They seldom come nearer to it than planting-time, harvest-time, cherry-time, spring-time, or fall-time. A want of information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood. The white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege” (13). Douglass also takes the argument of inequality one step further by making remarks upon the difference between the white and black children. Instead of accepting the difference that he is aware of even the minor details of inequalities. These descriptions of inequality are stated in the first half of the book and help us as readers realize the true “worth” of a slave. Frederick Douglass states “We were all ranked together at the valuation. Men and women, old and young, married and single, were ranked with horses, sheep and swine. There w... ... middle of paper ... ...y afraid at first but finds out that there are many ex-slaves willing to take a stand and risk their lives to help their own. Douglass realizes that with the help from the ex-slaves he could also help his fellow slaves. 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. Work Cited Douglass, Frederick. “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave: Written by Himself (ed. John Blassingame) Yale University Press, 2001. Analysis of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”: Written by Aaron Wright and Nichole Smith
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.
Related
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- Frederick Douglass Autobiographyanalytical essayFrederick Douglass’ autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave” reveals the immorality and lack of human dignity of slavery. His writings give the reader an in-depth look at the animal-like treatment the slaves received. He revealed that not just the victims of slavery but also the people who have to participate in it. Not many slaves got to tell their stories of the horrors of slavery in America. Frederick Douglass’ brilliant and insightful writings put many 19th century Americans in perspective but also become the voice of African Americans against the greatest injustice in America.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how douglass' autobiography, "narrative of the life of frederick douglas, an american slave," reveals the immorality and lack of human dignity of slavery.
- Explains that frederick douglass' autobiography, narrative, is what james olney calls "the greatest of slave narratives." the first part is about his early life as a slave in tuckahoe.
- Analyzes how douglass recounts that his slave masters defile, whip, and control blacks through physical pain and fear. colonel lloyd makes an example of demby, a slave, because he runs away and refuses to come back.
- Analyzes how frederick douglass defines literacy as "the pathway from slavery to freedom."
- Explains that douglass learns to read by talking to white ship carpenters and copying the letters from the books of his master’s son.
- Analyzes how douglass is sickened with the intolerance of slavery, as were his fellow slaves. he teaches others how to read in secret during sunday school.
- Analyzes how douglass sees religion as a form of freedom and believes god can help him secure freedom. he understands "mental freedom" under his service of mr. covey.
- Analyzes how douglass' autobiography rekindled the expiring embers of freedom, and revived within him a sense of his own manhood.
- Narrates how douglass attempts to escape when master hugh denies him choice in his hours, employment, and contracts. he reaches new york and expresses his feelings of "great insecurity and loneliness."
- Analyzes how douglass exercises his freedom by mounting antislavery platform to speak out against the outrages of slavery. he was constantly questioned about his credibility because of his polished, articulate, and intelligent demeanor.
- Analyzes how douglass wanted to include "written by himself" not as a sign of egocentrism, but as an act of self-authorship.
- Analyzes how douglass' autobiography became the example for the slave narrative genre.
- Analyzes how douglass' narrative illustrates human dignity being taken away by white slaveholders. slaves were not considered people but property that could be sold, throw away, or mistreated.
- Explains that frederick douglass' autobiography has given many americans a first-person picture of the american slave system.
1398 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 - The Use of Rhetorical Devices in The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass written by Frederick Douglassanalytical essaya skill that would provide him with his passport to freedom. The narrative itself acts as a form of protest literature against slavery and also persuades the reader that Douglass has been transformed and is no longer a slave, but a free man.
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 - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglassanalytical essayWhen first introduced to Douglass and his story, we find him to be a young slave boy filled with information about those around him. Not only does he speak from the view point of an observer, but he speaks of many typical stereotypes in the slave life. At this point in his life, Frederick is inexperienced and knows nothing of the pleasures of things such as reading, writing, or even the rights everyone should be entitled to. Douglass knowing hardly anything of his family, their whereabouts, or his background, seems to be equivalent to the many other slaves at the time. As a child Frederick Douglass sees the injustices around him and observes them, yet as the story continues we begin to see a change.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the tone established in the narrative of the life of frederick douglass is unusual in that from the beginning to the end the focus has been shifted.
- Analyzes how frederick douglass, a young slave boy, speaks of typical stereotypes in the slave life. he is inexperienced and knows nothing about his family, their whereabouts or background.
- Analyzes how douglas shifts the tone to a focus within himself, focusing on his slave life, his experiences, and less about those around him. in the second part of the narrative, douglass demonstrates his individualistic attitude and take charge qualities.
- Analyzes how douglass captures the audience's attention by centering on his personal story. with a more detailed description of events taking place, the reader is trapped into that time period.
- Describes how frederick douglass learns one of the greatest freedoms of all. he is set free, in an educational sense, and uses smart tactics to resume his learning.
- Analyzes how the narrative turns to a gripping tale of an educated slave seeking freedom. douglass contemplates escaping, weighing it against the idea of leaving all of his friends.
- Analyzes how the language difference from the beginning up until the conclusion can be based solely on spirit and education. douglass did not know much about anything and spoke like he should have, from a child's view.
915 wordsRead More - Frederick Douglass Hopeanalytical essayNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an 1845 autobiography by the eponymous author, is rife with conflict and contradiction. The wealth and cruelty of slave owners is contrasted with the poverty and helplessness of slaves; the ideal of freedom is set against the looming dread of its consequences; but some of the most polarizing and intense conflicts are internal and paradoxical in nature. Among these is the idea of hope, to which the slaves cling and the masters try to crush. Hope almost always carries a positive connotation, but Frederick Douglass’ narrative exposes its paradox in relation to slavery and freedom, how it was used as a tool to both help and harm.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how frederick douglass' 1845 autobiography is rife with conflict and contradiction. the wealth and cruelty of slave owners is contrasted with poverty and helplessness.
- Analyzes how douglass uses the metaphor of the great house farm and situational irony in regards to slaves who wanted to work there to convey his negative perception of hope.
- Analyzes how douglass uses juxtaposition to show how education unveiled a brighter side to hope, allowing him to realize his true potential, as opposed to keeping him in chains.
- Analyzes how hope can be the key to freedom or just a different sort of prison, as douglass experiences both sides of the paradox. it is ultimately the uplifting effect of hope that pushes him to fight back against his oppression.
705 wordsRead More - Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass Ethos Essayanalytical essayOvercoming a Life of Brutality In, “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 - Frederick Douglass Anti-Slavery Autobiographyanalytical essayNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself is controversial anti-slavery literatures of the mid-nineteenth century. Douglass narrates other slaves’ lives while grabbing the attention of residents in the North and many other places throughout the world. Douglass draws much attention to devastating reality and the inconceiva-ble cruelty of enslavement. The purpose of Narrative of the Life is not to introduce Frederick Douglass’s life, but to expose the evil underside of slavery to its readers.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave, written by himself is controversial anti-slavery literatures of mid-nineteenth century.
- Analyzes how douglass demonstrates the purpose of his autobiography in the first section of the work.
- Analyzes how douglass uses detailed descriptions of slavery to exploit the cruelty and immorality of enslavement.
- Analyzes how douglass presents his personal experiences as a typical slave, effectively, realistically, and vividly exposing various negative effects of slavery. narrative of the life helped stimulate the anti-slavery movement in early nineteenth century america.
- Narrates the life of frederick douglass, an american slave, written by himself. the norton anthology of american literature.
674 wordsRead More - The Narrative of Fredrick Douglassanalytical essayIn the passage of the Narrative of Fredrick Douglass, the author masterfully conveys two complimentary tones of liberation and fear. The tones transition by the use of diction and detail. The passage is written entirely in first person, since we are witnessing the struggles of Fredrick Douglass through his eyes. Through his diction, we are able to feel the triumph that comes with freedom along with the hardships. Similarly, detail brings a picturesque view of his adversities. Since the point of view is first person, the reader is able to be a part of the Douglass’ struggles with his new freedom. With diction, detail, and point of view, the reader is able to get a rare glimpse into the past of Fredrick Douglass.Fredrick Douglass’ diction is powerful as he describes his life as a slave and with his new freedom. Fredrick Douglass calls being enslaved an act of “wretchedness,” yet he was able to remain “firm” and eventually left the “chains” of slavery. Fredrick Douglass expresses that being enslaved is a wretched act and that no man should ever deserve such treatment. Despite being a slave, he kept strong and eventually broke the chain of society. However, Fredrick Douglass experienced great “insecurity” and “loneliness” with his new freedom, and was upon a new “hunting-ground.” His new freedom brought other devastating factors, being a new state without any friends, which caused his loneliness. In this new state, he grew insecure for he was in a new danger zone where at any time his freedom could be rejected. With new freedom come new obstacles, which are described in the diction of Fredrick Douglass.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how conveys two complimentary tones of liberation and fear in the narrative of fredrick douglass.
- Analyzes how the detail present in the narrative conveys the tones of liberation and fear.
- Analyzes how the point of view of the narrative consistently remains constant in the passage. fredrick douglass had freedom at his feet, yet each new direction in his life led to different obstacles.
- Analyzes how fredrick douglass combines stylistic devices to produce a narrative using different, yet complimentary tones. the tone of liberation is present when he describes the joys of no longer having to bear the suffering society forced him to have.
732 wordsRead More - Douglass's descriptions of the severity of slave life are filled with horrific details able to reach even the coldest hearts. The beginning of the narrative tells of how Douglass lacks one of the most celebrated identities of humans - the knowledge of ones own age. "I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it. By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant." (12) In saying this Douglass is showing how low the life of a slave is compared to other humans. The idea of slaves being seen as merely work animals is placed into the minds of the reader to set an idea for the rest of the book.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how douglass' brutal description of slave life reaches a climax when he comes under the care of the slave-breaker mr.
- Explains that all references are to frederick douglass, narrative of the life of frederick
- Analyzes how douglass appeals to the reader through his first-hand accounts of slavery, his use of irony in these descriptions, and his balance between evasiveness and frankness.
- Analyzes how douglass shows that people who claimed to be moral christians were torturers of humans.
823 wordsRead More - 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