Slavery In Americ The Cruel Life Of Frederick Douglas

Slavery in America was a very cruel form of work, in which many did not have the option but to work as slaves, for example Frederick Douglas, who was born to Harriet Bailey (a former slave), did not get that option, although he was born to a “white man” who was whispered to be his to be his master, (Narrative pg. 20) by law Douglas had to follow the condition of his mother who was a previous slave (Narrative pg. 21). Douglas starts off doing simpler work because of his young age, but as he grows older , he is forced to do more difficult and brutal work. Douglas also grows wiser and plans his successful escape to New York, which would occur “on the third day of September, 1838” (Narrative pg. 112). In the following paragraphs I will explain …show more content…
(Narrative pg. 19) Douglas also describes two tragic events in his life, which showed him the cruelty that went on from slavery, the first event occurred at a very young age when he first witnessed the awful beating of Aunt Hester by Captain Anthony, “It struck me with awful force. It was the bloodstained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was a most terrible spectacle.”. (Narrative pg. 24) The second event would be when Douglas was transferred to Mr. Covey, Mr. Covey was known as a “nigger-breaker”(Narrative pg. 69) which meant he was a slave breaker, Douglas had his first experience with working in the fields with Mr. Covey but for that same reason he wasn 't very good at it which Mr. Covey would call “Awkwardness” and use that as an excuse to whip him. (Narrative pg. 70) During the time Douglas was there, things were very tough for him as he 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 …show more content…
Covey, Frederick goes to a new slave holder by the name of Mr. Freeland, (Narrative pg. 86) where he attempted his first escape but failed. Here in his first attempt Douglas gains a group of associates which he plans on escaping with, after being ready to escape, Douglas immediately knew that his well thought out plan was going down,”I was overwhelmed with an indescribable feeling, in the fulness of which I turned to Sandy, who was near by, and said, “We are betrayed!” “Well,” said he, “that thought has this moment struck me.” We said no more. I was never more certain of anything.” (Narrative pg. 95) Frederick’s plan had been called out, which then earned them jail time, after being in jail for a while, Douglas is the last one to leave out of the group, luckily for Douglas after almost getting sent to Alabama, Auld, his master changes his mind and sends him back to Baltimore with his his brother Hugh to work on trade where he will try his next attempt towards freedom. (Narrative pg. 99-100) In Baltimore Douglas struggles at first because he has absolutely no work knowledge on the process of trade, then after a cruel fight with the other racist workers, Fredrick comes out harshly wounded which gets him repositioned to a different area. (Narrative pg. 102) Douglas then goes back to work personally for his master, and earns enough money to go on with his successful escape, although, Frederick explains how he will not describe his way of