Violence In Frederick Douglass

The absolute horrific violence of slavery has been almost completely expunged from America’s mind today. But evidently, society was still misinformed of slavery’s dreadful gravity in its existence. That’s exactly what African-American orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass was trying to battle through his literature and speeches: ignorance of the reality of slavery. In his profound Narrative, Douglass exposes the extreme violence, oppression, and hopelessness which fettered the slave. Chronicling his own story from boyhood to young adult, Douglass displays the slave’s perpetual trials and rare triumphs. “I am a slave for life” (Douglass, 41) the captive African-American realizes dejectedly as a mere 10 to 12-year-old. But after revolting against a cruel slave-breaker in adolescence, things begin to look up for Douglass. As he exultantly apprises readers, “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man” (60). And this indeed happens, as Douglass rises from the violent plantations to authoritative abolition speaker. Douglass’ story is truly one of triumph against all odds and hope in the midst of suffering.
• Douglass cites that his masters “found religious sanction for [their] cruelty” (53) as they quoted various Bible verses while viciously whipping their slaves. Do you think the …show more content…
Master Auld, though not an entirely physically cruel master, nevertheless believes in keeping slaves “in their place”. Mrs. Auld, meanwhile, is filled with empathy and motherly love for young Freddy. She endeavors to educate him in reading and writing, but she is almost immediately hindered by the horrified hand of Master Auld. After Auld delivers an indignant speech about the dramatic effects of educating slaves, Douglass is overcome with an intense hunger for learning. Seeing each of Auld’s contentions as immense benefits, Douglass