On Frederick Douglas

Frederick Douglass’ escape from freedom, rise as an abolitionist or his woman’s rights activism was surely ignited by his passion and his talents as both writer and speaker. In his “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” the author goes to great lengths to explain the “social system” of slavery and educate his readers as to what an authentic slave experience is like, of which he seems to be the symbol. Douglass draws distinctions between cruel masters and kind masters, city-slaves and plantation slaves, the Northerners and Southerners as well as true Christians and slaveholder Christians. Douglass crafted his narrative with the purpose of presenting the people with an authentic view of the slave experience, not with-holding heart wrenching and violent scenes as well as his carefully made distinctions in order to promote abolition and freedom.

Douglas expresses to his readers the reality of slavery by setting the tone in the midst of the abused and broken slave. Douglas tells several bloody accounts of men, women and himself getting beaten, whipped, or raped. He is proves himself as authority by expressing the fact he was a slave. He tells them about the condition of mulatto slaves; most of whom, he writes, have been fathered by their white masters (Douglass 3). These slaves are often sold to avoid issues with the slaveholder’s white wife or with a slaveholder showing partiality that could potentially damage his position as slaveholder (Douglass 4). Douglas warns his readers that there will be “multitudes of this class of slaves” (Douglass 3). Douglas continues on to explain the hierarchy of the plantation from Colonel Lloyd, to the overseers, to Mr. Covey who did not own slaves at all but was a “farm-renter” who had reputation for “breaking young slaves”( Douglass 50). Mr. Covey in addition is a “class-leader” with the Methodist Church whom we learn once bought a slave with the full intent of purpose of breeding, not something one might expect from a Christian (Douglass 50).

Probably most important to Douglass, was making clear the day and night difference between true Christians and slaveholder Christians. One slaveholder, Thomas Auld, attending a Methodist camp and returned converted only to embrace a more cruel nature. Douglass believes he found “religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty” and tells of stories where slaveholders quote scripture as a whipping commenced. Much to Douglass’ relief his next slaveholder is not religious because religious slave holders are “the worst” (Douglass 67). Douglass wanted to make himself clear in his appendix regarding his position and religion. He does not want to offend “good” Christians and clearly distinguishes between the two types.

While Frederick Douglass’ narrative helps us to better understand the harsh realities of slavery, it served a more functional purpose for Frederick. As a literate, free black man, he could use his writing to raise awareness about the oppression in the South to his neighbors in the North. He could make aware to the true Christians what atrocities the slaveholder Christians were committing. As early as 1841, Douglass became active in the abolitionist scene attending meetings and becoming a lecturer himself “dedicating” his life to achieving justice for all Americans (Biography of Frederick Douglass). Douglas sets the scene for his authentic portrayal by showing the world the harsh realities through his writing skills. He contrasts the city-slave with the plantation slave by placing them in their individual and very different settings and sheds light on a subject that many in the North had not had exposure to. By distinguishing and clarifying these differences, Douglass would be able to appeal to a broader spectrum of people and as a consequence crafter a very well thought out and persuasive piece of writing.

Works Cited

"Biography of Frederick Douglass." n.d. frederickdouglas.org. 18 2012 October <www.frederickdouglass.org/douglass_bio.html>.

Douglass, Frederick. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Boston, 1845.

Frederick Douglas Exhibits. n.d. 17 October 2012 <www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/douglass>.