Struggle for Independence in the Narrative of the Life of...

In the early 1800’s, the United States’ culture of slavery was fostered for a lifespan of forcible enslavement. For all Slaves, this was the normality which was callously endured. In his work, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, â€Å"An American Slave,† Frederick Douglass argues and exemplifies that his fate was destined outside of the walls of slavery. In Douglass’ book, he narrates his earliest accounts of being a slave. At a young age, he acknowledges that it was a masters’ prerequisite to â€Å"keep their slaves thus ignorant†, reporting he had no true account of his age, and was groomed to believe, â€Å"a want of information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood† (25). This mindset was inbreeded in†¦show more content†¦As a slave, to inherit this life of servitude, Douglass opposes this vision for his future. In the beginning of chapter five, he observes, â€Å"Master Daniel was of some advantage to me† (46), demonstrating a fondness towards Douglass, for instance, â€Å"he would not allow the older boys to impose upon me†, and â€Å"divide his cakes with me† (46). He describes his Master’s actions of being â€Å"quite attached to me† and â€Å"a sort of protector of me† (46). He acknowledges that being treated differently, Douglass views his own slave status distinctive from other slaves. At a young age, he sees the possibility for slave owners to have humanity for their slaves, but deems himself chosen to only experience this amongst his peers. Through the chapter, Douglass finds out he is going to Baltimore to serve Mr. Hugh and his family. This news elates him, foreseen subconsciously, he expresses as â€Å"the highest hopes of future happiness† (48). In referring to this proverb, â€Å"being hanged in England is preferable to dying a natural death in Ireland†, (48) he establishes the mentality to die fighting for freedom then remain in slavery. He later states, this â€Å"laid the foundation† (49) for his path to freedom and â€Å"opened the gateway† (49) for all things possible. In sum, he continues to argue that his predetermined path for slavery would not be his future, for moving to Baltimore, begins the process for his independence. At the end of chapter five, DouglassShow MoreRelatedThe Poem America By William Cullen1423 Words   |  6 Pagesnationalistic devotion and love for his motherland, which he portrays with vivid description and figurative language. In this poem, Bryant praises America as the â€Å"mother of a mighty race,† claiming that free Americans are now going to create major impact on the world with their new independence. Furthermore, he says that America does not know how the people of her country are devoted to her and will give up their own lives if they had to fight a foe for her. Bryant also exemplifies how foreign countriesRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass And Olaudah Equiano1398 Words   |  6 PagesThe cruel and harsh treatment of slaves in the seventeenth and eighteenth century is something that in today’s millennium a person could not even dream of. Slaves were known to be illiterate; however there are few that had the opportunity to be educated and from them so ciety has a small glimpse into the past. There are two slaves in particular that give people a way to see life through their eyes. Frederick Douglass and Olaudah Equiano were two slaves during those times that were forced into theRead MoreSlavery within the Eyes of Frederick Douglass Essay1026 Words   |  5 Pageslike if we were a part of the slave years? 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As an ex-slave, his inspiration grew beyond his boarders to reach the whole world. Without any formal education, Douglass escaped slavery and became a respected American diplomat, a counselor to four presidents, a highly regarded speaker, and an influential writer. ByRead MoreFrederick Douglass: Struggles of the American Slaves1840 Words   |  8 PagesFrederick Douglass: Struggles of the American Slaves Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery around 1818, will forever remain one of the most important figures in Americas struggle for civil rights and racial equality. As an ex-slave, his inspiration grew beyond his boarders to reach the whole world. Without any formal education, Douglass escaped slavery and became a respected American diplomat, a counselor to four presidents, a highly regarded speaker, and an influential writer. By commonRead MoreAfrican American Leaders Post- Reconstruction Essay1320 Words   |  6 Pagesits just influence in the world†. 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Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass has a first hand account of the struggle against white supremacyRead MoreEssay on Interrogation of Freedom1785 Words   |  8 Pagessource. Independence for a child may be that they no longer have to hold their mother’s hand or be under their parents’ rule. In particularly the mid 1700’s, freedom for a white land-owning male and an African-American slave were two utterly different ideas. Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of the Independence, was a great political figure of the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, but was also a slave owner. Frederick Douglass, a slave, fought to become a man of independence in the