Analysis of "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass" by Fredrick Douglass (Angela Davis Edition) Fredrick Douglass stood as a living counter-example to the arguments of the slaveholders that slaves lacked the intellectual capacity to function as an independent American citizen (Wiley-Blackwell 155–156).Douglass was an inspiring influential writer and orator, shaping the abolitionist movements of the 1800's (Mosher, Jeffery). He is globally celebrated for his publication of his first autobiography the "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass" (Mosher, Jeffrey). Like many narratives of the time, "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass" is prefaced with endorsements by white abolitionist to establish a concrete level of credibility (Davis 87). For instance, William Garrison states "…essentially true in all its statements; that nothing has been set down in malice, nothing exaggerated…" (Davis 93) Douglass begins his introduction with the
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Eventually, Douglass arrives under the care of Mr. Covey who was known for breaking disobedient slaves (Davis 173). Douglass States, ""Mr. Covey succeeded in breaking me. I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!"(Davis 178) And lastly, by the end of the narrative the reader discovers that Douglass escapes slavery and discovers William Garrison's American Anti-Slavery Society, ending the book with, "From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren- with what success, with what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide." (Davis
Eventually, Douglass arrives under the care of Mr. Covey who was known for breaking disobedient slaves (Davis 173). Douglass States, ""Mr. Covey succeeded in breaking me. I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!"(Davis 178) And lastly, by the end of the narrative the reader discovers that Douglass escapes slavery and discovers William Garrison's American Anti-Slavery Society, ending the book with, "From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren- with what success, with what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide." (Davis