In Fredrick Douglas’s life he was moved around, sold and, traded much like a trading card. While in each location one being different from the other, he was exposed to different kinds of environments. These environments would affect the way he would act and carry himself, all the way from the plantation in Talbot County Maryland, to Baltimore and, to New York. Each place had an impact on him mentally and physically.
Fredrick was born on a plantation in Tuckahoe Maryland. His age is unknown because slaves were usually never told their age. At a very young age, he was separated from his mother. “I never saw my mother, to know her as such, more than four or five times in my life; and each of these times was very short in duration, and at night”(10). …show more content…
After arriving to his new home in Baltimore he was stunned by his new master and how kind she was. “I was utterly astonished by her goodness. I scarcely knew how to behave towards her” (33). Fredrick had been accustomed to kneeling down before them and not being able to speak. Now in the presence of his new master, a white woman who had never owned a slave before. Life in Baltimore for the next seven years was going to be a very big change for Fredrick. “During the time, I succeeded in learning to read and write” (37). Instantly Frederick is put into a position that he would have never expected to be in, but he is very eager to learn. Unfortunately this is going to be cut short, but he is still able to teach himself and soon learns to read and write at another level. As time goes on though this sweet hearted lady will change completely. "Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness"(38). Even the most kind hearted people would change their morals after owning a slave for such a short time and it is. He also tell stories of how he regrets his life and how he doesn’t want to exist. After his seven years in Baltimore he will move on to live in New York which was a free
Fredrick was born on a plantation in Tuckahoe Maryland. His age is unknown because slaves were usually never told their age. At a very young age, he was separated from his mother. “I never saw my mother, to know her as such, more than four or five times in my life; and each of these times was very short in duration, and at night”(10). …show more content…
After arriving to his new home in Baltimore he was stunned by his new master and how kind she was. “I was utterly astonished by her goodness. I scarcely knew how to behave towards her” (33). Fredrick had been accustomed to kneeling down before them and not being able to speak. Now in the presence of his new master, a white woman who had never owned a slave before. Life in Baltimore for the next seven years was going to be a very big change for Fredrick. “During the time, I succeeded in learning to read and write” (37). Instantly Frederick is put into a position that he would have never expected to be in, but he is very eager to learn. Unfortunately this is going to be cut short, but he is still able to teach himself and soon learns to read and write at another level. As time goes on though this sweet hearted lady will change completely. "Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness"(38). Even the most kind hearted people would change their morals after owning a slave for such a short time and it is. He also tell stories of how he regrets his life and how he doesn’t want to exist. After his seven years in Baltimore he will move on to live in New York which was a free