Resistance In The Stranger, By Albert Camus

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” Nobel Prize winner, Albert Camus, author of the book The Stranger, made this statement. However, it would be believable to hear that Frederick Douglass had made the statement. After all, his life was a true reflection of these words. Though, it wasn’t an easy journey to get to that point, the point where at last he could become free from every chain that bound him; physical and mental. He faced many trials before gaining his freedom, and in order to gain it he had to partake in some form of resistance. Resistance, according to author James H. Sweet, “was an attempt to claim some measure of freedom against an institution …show more content…
Without enough nutrients or basic necessities slaves felt the need to steal. Douglass recalls that Colonel Lloyd had a large well-kept garden and that slaves frequently visited it to steal from the plethora of fruits available there. This infuriated Colonel Lloyd, to the point where he took drastic measures to eradicate this stealing. He tarred the fence so that anyone crossing it to steal fruit would get tar on himself, and tar on the individual was proof enough that he had stolen or attempted to steal fruit and thus deserved to be “severely whipped”. The word “theft” is rather contradictory when it came to slaves “stealing” things from their masters. After all, they were property themselves; so “stealing” one part of the property to put into another was merely transfer, not theft. Frederick Douglass described it as “taking the meat out of one tub and putting it in another” Whether the slaves realized it or not, this act of resistance was an act of self-awareness. Slaves were realizing, “I need sustenance to live and function. I deserve at least that much.” Thus their stealing was due to an awakening inside that they deserved more than what they were being given, because they were real human beings, despite being treated …show more content…
However, he did stand up for himself in somewhat aggressive manners at times, but each occasion paled in comparison to the violence inflicted on him and other slaves by the majority of their white masters. The best example of Douglass using violence as a form of resistance is his altercation with Mr. Covey. After being brutally beaten by Covey a few days prior, Douglass finally fights back. First, he attempts to go to his old Master’s house, but he actually sides with Covey. Once Douglass comes back, Covey runs after him in an attempt to whip him. So, Douglass flees to the forest where he meets a friend named Sandy. Sandy gives him a root and claims it will protect him. When Douglass returns it seems fine on Sunday, but when Monday comes around, Covey attacks. This time things are different though. Douglass defends himself for two hours until Covey finally backs down. Douglass describes the fight as rekindling “the few expiring embers of freedom” and revived his sense of manhood. His outbreak of violence was simply proof that he was becoming self aware and standing up for his own person. Root or not Frederick Douglass had a newfound hope in