Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave is written by one of the best known abolitionists to this day. The resonance of his story has been heard throughout the United States since its publishing date in 1845. Looking at the cover, the average American may presume that he or she already knows the daily occurrences on slave plantations, but this firsthand account sheds light on what has not always been talked about in the average American classroom. Douglass gives the contemporary reader the ability to understand whites’ prerogative for violence, the dehumanization of slaves and their relationships with their masters.
The prerogative for violence against slaves in Douglass’s antebellum narrative brings to light the incredible …show more content…
This means that hundreds of men, women, and children were without the necessities of daily life. They could not warm themselves, they could not sleep comfortably, and the scars from this personal neglect lasted forever. Douglass uses this diction to express the severity of his scars. He gives the reader a visual that one can easily picture and understand today. While in Baltimore, Douglass’s old master, Captain Anthony, dies and all of his property was to be brought back to the plantation to be valued and distributed to his family. Douglass paints a picture by relaying the scene to his reader: “There were horses and men, cattle and women, pigs and children, all holding the same rank in the scale of being, and were all subjected to the same narrow examination” (51). With the widespread knowledge about the treatment of animals, the current reader sees the demoralizing nature of this process. The slaves and cattle were all put through the same inspection and health tests, and were viewed as equal to lesser value to the animals and usually treated worse. Slaves were given close to nothing to aid in the healthy upkeep of their lives. Animals were given sufficient food and conditions to live because the masters needed plentiful meat and good food. However, slaves were kicked to the curb. Douglass gives these examples to have the reader realize the extent to which bondage dehumanized
The prerogative for violence against slaves in Douglass’s antebellum narrative brings to light the incredible …show more content…
This means that hundreds of men, women, and children were without the necessities of daily life. They could not warm themselves, they could not sleep comfortably, and the scars from this personal neglect lasted forever. Douglass uses this diction to express the severity of his scars. He gives the reader a visual that one can easily picture and understand today. While in Baltimore, Douglass’s old master, Captain Anthony, dies and all of his property was to be brought back to the plantation to be valued and distributed to his family. Douglass paints a picture by relaying the scene to his reader: “There were horses and men, cattle and women, pigs and children, all holding the same rank in the scale of being, and were all subjected to the same narrow examination” (51). With the widespread knowledge about the treatment of animals, the current reader sees the demoralizing nature of this process. The slaves and cattle were all put through the same inspection and health tests, and were viewed as equal to lesser value to the animals and usually treated worse. Slaves were given close to nothing to aid in the healthy upkeep of their lives. Animals were given sufficient food and conditions to live because the masters needed plentiful meat and good food. However, slaves were kicked to the curb. Douglass gives these examples to have the reader realize the extent to which bondage dehumanized