Frederick Douglass in the narrative, The Life of Frederick Douglass, asserts that the enslavement of human beings is immoral and that slavery should be abolished. Douglass supports his argument by informing the reader of the conditions of slavery, displaying the illogical reasoning behind slavery, and exhibiting the opportunities available for freedmen. The author’s purpose is to advocate for the abolition of slavery in order to spread awareness of the injustice of slavery to abolitionists and to provide hope for educated slaves. The author writes in a grave and bitter tone to invoke a sense of pathos in educated abolitionists, most likely from the northern region of the United States.
Douglass persuades the reader through a sense of pathos …show more content…
The oxymoron in the phrase, “It was to me the starting-point of a new existence” is used to describe Douglass’ new life free from slavery, which conveys a sense of happiness and hope. Since existence is defined as something that has been living or present and new is defined as not existing before, then this suggests that Douglass wants to start his life over. This is significant because it displays that a life free from slavery is so different from enslavement that it is like a new life with new opportunities. In the phrase, “I am my own master,” the author contrasts his past with slave masters to his current independence. This is contradictory because Douglass is now free from slavery and any slave master, yet he now calls himself a master. This is significant because as Douglass is granted more opportunities, he becomes more in control of his life, and Douglass associates control with word master.
Douglass provides evidence of the immoral and cruel conditions of slavery, the illogical reasoning of slaveholders and overseers, and the opportunities of freedmen in his narrative in order to advocate for the abolition of slavery. In conclusion, slave narratives are similar to modern day social media. Many slaves used slave narratives to spread awareness about the injustice of slavery and inspired many other slaves to become educated, while social media
Douglass persuades the reader through a sense of pathos …show more content…
The oxymoron in the phrase, “It was to me the starting-point of a new existence” is used to describe Douglass’ new life free from slavery, which conveys a sense of happiness and hope. Since existence is defined as something that has been living or present and new is defined as not existing before, then this suggests that Douglass wants to start his life over. This is significant because it displays that a life free from slavery is so different from enslavement that it is like a new life with new opportunities. In the phrase, “I am my own master,” the author contrasts his past with slave masters to his current independence. This is contradictory because Douglass is now free from slavery and any slave master, yet he now calls himself a master. This is significant because as Douglass is granted more opportunities, he becomes more in control of his life, and Douglass associates control with word master.
Douglass provides evidence of the immoral and cruel conditions of slavery, the illogical reasoning of slaveholders and overseers, and the opportunities of freedmen in his narrative in order to advocate for the abolition of slavery. In conclusion, slave narratives are similar to modern day social media. Many slaves used slave narratives to spread awareness about the injustice of slavery and inspired many other slaves to become educated, while social media