Frederick Douglass Meaning Of Brutality

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Slavery will continue to be the furthermost deplorable phenomena of this world. Beings crying for freedom and liberty from oppression is very unnatural and provokes a heartfelt of different emotions from many individuals. Some people do not comprehend the probability of one individual considering another human being as its slave, some are the children of those who used to be slaves years ago and some have challenged slavery in the contemporary times. Slavery is a notion in which a human being is converted into a “thing” as he/she becomes a prospect in the form of exploitation as they become the private property of the slave owner. Slavery has harmed millions of people leading some to death and preventing some from their fate, eliminating their …show more content…

He examines how it has two different meanings, one being to transform someone into a brute (beast) taking away their humanity and the other meaning is treating someone badly. Douglass emphasized this concept by saying “I saw more clearly than ever the brutalizing effects of slavery upon both slave and slaveholder” (Douglas 1845: 150). Douglass emphasizes that slavery leads to the two factors influencing the slaves along with the masters. The slaves are constantly mistreated and the slaveholders become evil as they abuse the slaves. This concept was illustrated with one of Douglass’s mistresses, Mrs. Auld. When Mrs. Auld began to own a slave, Douglass she was very kind and compassionate but once she realized and witnessed the power that she had, she transformed and became a beast. “The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work. That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon” (Douglas 1845: 149). Mrs. Auld’s transformation was a result of having complete control over another human leading her to become more of a demon whereas she started off as an angel. This transformation caused her to mistreat Douglas. Frederick Douglas illustrates how he slaves were constantly brutalized and mistreated by the slaveholders. "I remember the first time I ever witnessed this horrible exhibition. I was quite a child, but I well remember it. I never shall forget it whilst I remember any thing. It was the first of a long series of such outrages, of which I was doomed to be a witness and a participant. It struck me with awful force. It was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was a most terrible spectacle. I wish I could commit to paper the

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