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Compare And Contrast Frederick Douglass And Phillis Wheatley

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Phillis Wheatley and Frederick Douglass were two of the most well-known African American writers that were both for the abolishment movement in America but had two vastly different ideas about the unholy institution of slavery. Through her poem, “On Being Brought from America”, Phillis Wheatley appears thankful for her journey from Africa to America, clinging tightly to her Christian views and faith in God but still reminding the slave owners that people of all races will be welcome in heaven. In Frederick Douglass’ story, “My Bondage and My Freedom”, he displays no joy in the evil institution of slavery and points out the differences between the cruel actions of the southern Christian slaveholders against those of the peaceful doctrine of …show more content…

He is often remembered as an abolitionist, editor, orator and autobiographer that argued passionately and eloquently against the institution of slavery (Bader 67). In Douglass’ early years he dealt often with constant hunger, sleeping on dirt floors, many beatings and lashings, as well as witnessing these same actions performed on family that he loved. At a young age Douglass recalls questioning why white children knew their birthdays and their ages and black children did not. He struggled for a long time to finally make sense of it until he eventually came to understand the injustice of slavery (Bader 68). Frederick Douglass reports a defining moment he had with owner- Sophie Auld and how she demanded he abandon his cowering posture and to look her in the face when she is speaking to him. It was the first time he remembered being treated like a human being and not long after Auld started teaching him how to read and write until it came to an abrupt halt by Sophia’s husband, Master Hugh Auld because he said an educated black man would no longer be content being a slave (Baechler & Litz 154). While Douglass was angry that his learning had been interrupted, he channeled the anger to the motivation he needed to make his road to freedom be his number one mission. With patience and tenacity, Douglass devised a plan of escape that took years in the making. Every privilege or attempt at appeasing him, by his Master, only strengthened the conviction that he deserved to be free, further igniting his passion for liberty. When Frederick Douglass began writing his autobiographies he was a fugitive slave and therefore had to stay on the run (Baechler & Litz 155). Douglass continuously proved his courage by publishing his stories where he exposed the atrocities of slavery through his personal experiences and observations as well as his eloquent

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752 Words | 4 Pages

In Frederick Douglass’ novel he talks about the things he went through and the things he had to go through and the things he had to see . He talks about about how he was whipped how he had cuts all over his body from being beat. He talks about the brutal beatings he had to watch other slaves go through. He was beat for not listening and not doing things he

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259 Words | 2 Pages

Within her poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” Phillis Wheatley takes a rather unique stance regarding the concept of slavery, a topic that was controversial during her time. Wheatley begins by stating that it was “mercy” that had brought her from her native “Pagan” land to the world of God and Salvation. With her embedded passion within the poem, a reader can easily infer that Phillis truly appreciates that she was able to learn the notions of Redemption and Heaven from her gruesome travels. This is a rather ironic situation a former slave could be in, for her physical pain would drastically outweigh her spiritual revelation. Later on, Wheatley proceeds to address the racial issue that was prevalent in America.

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1216 Words | 5 Pages

His beatings and lack of food were only part of his miserable daily life. Eventually Douglass was able to successfully escape this life and vowed to forever actively support the equality of all

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1366 Words | 6 Pages

During that time African Americans were not seen as people, so Douglass had to fight against problems regarding slavery and his humanity every time he had to deliver one of his works. Douglass being a former slave made his words more powerful since he had to endure a lot. Through the use of imagery in his work, Douglass addresses events he and other slaves had to endure, making a difference in how people reacted. There were many abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison and Gerrit Smith. Nevertheless, they were both white, so they could not show problems about slavery in the same manner as Douglass could.

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603 Words | 3 Pages

Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass is one individual who most completely fits the definition of a “great” individual. His entire life was dedicated to breaking down the walls that separated any person from their given rights. This historic figure greatly increased the strength of the abolitionist movement, Douglass’s greatest passion, with his writing and oration. Frederick Douglass began life as a slave but rose to become a Presidential advisor and ambassador. This figure is important due to his legacy in history, personal ideals, and the audiences that listened.

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341 Words | 2 Pages

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass After reading this short passage about Frederick Douglass, I know that he was very against slavery. He saw enslavers as criminals and tormentors. He wishes to be an animal so he wouldn't have to go through the agony of slavery. He also recalls having to move in with a relative of his slave master, Auld Hugh. Auld Hugh’s wife tried to teach Douglass to read and write, but Auld wouldn't let her.

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2974 Words | 12 Pages

Because of his unwavering commitment, his journey and all of his suffering ultimately led to his success and freedom. Even in the face of impossible odds, he never lost sight of his goals, and as a result, he achieved recognition and became a hero of his time. Douglass developed the ability to resist and defeat the slavery system that had oppressed and robbed him in the past. His capacity to do so highlights everyone's power to overcome past and present adversity. Douglass is still tormented by the atrocities and suffering he portrayed in his autobiography, but it is precisely those memories that drive his desire to combat slavery and tell the truth.

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1157 Words | 5 Pages

Although from different eras, both Douglass and Rowlandson use similar techniques such as religion, repetition, and sentimentalism to show that being held captive and slavery is wrong. America was founded on Christian beliefs, so Douglass attacked that. He states, “If the churches and ministers of our country were not stupidly blind, or most wickedly indifferent, they, too, would so regard it” (Douglass 1037) Douglass is making a bold move that will spark controversy. He uses statements like this to keep the audience’s attention.

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844 Words | 4 Pages

Fredrick Douglass is one of the most famous abolitionists the United States has ever seen. The events that led up to his freedom of slavery were very interesting. In his Narrative you not only get to see the worst of slavery, but you can also feel firsthand what Douglass went through to get his freedom. As we all know slavery was something you could not just walk out of. Some slaves that try to escape even end up getting punished or killed.

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1080 Words | 5 Pages

In “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, Douglass narrates in detail the oppressions he went through as a slave before winning his freedom. In the narrative, Douglass gives a picture about the humiliation, brutality, and pain that slaves go through. We can evidently see that Douglass does not want to describe only his life, but he uses his personal experiences and life story as a tool to rise against slavery. He uses his personal life story to argue against common myths that were used to justify the act of slavery. Douglass invalidated common justification for slavery like religion, economic argument and color with his life story through his experiences torture, separation, and illiteracy, and he urged for the end of slavery.

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633 Words | 3 Pages

In Frederick Douglass’s book, he writes accounts of his time in slavery and beyond. Throughout the book, Douglass writes about not only the physical hardships slaves endured, but the mental and emotional hardships as well. In Chapter X, Douglass describes a battle he had with a temporary slave owner named Mr. Covey. After the fight concludes, Douglass writes, “This battle with Mr. Covey was the turning point in my career as a slave. It rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom, and revived within me a sense of my own manhood.

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561 Words | 3 Pages

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; an autobiography consisting of Frederick Douglass’ search for freedom from the slaveholders who kept many African Americans captive, allowed many to understand the pain and misery in the midst of slavery. Published in 1845, Douglass conveyed the lives of African Americans and how they have suffered a great deal of pain and discomfort through a provocative tone . Throughout his autobiography, Douglass used countless metaphors to portray his life. From Mr. Plummer to Mrs. Auld, the reader could better perceive the text by visualizing the metaphors that Douglass has used. Using Frederick’s writing, youthful audiences can gain knowledge about slavery and its effects.

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713 Words | 3 Pages

Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass First, important event in the book “The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass” in chapter six, is when Douglass is about seven years old and was sent to a new master in Baltimore, Maryland to work for Mr. Auld. The wife of the master Mrs. Auld was teaching Douglass how to read tell her husband made her stop. Although they were very kind to Douglass it is just upsetting that he did not let him continue learning to read and write. I believe that this event changed Douglass’s life because by learning how to read it made him feel that there is something powerful about being educated.

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1486 Words | 6 Pages

For its nearly 90-year long span, slavery was the sole root of nearly all black pain and trauma, still having effects on our world 157 years after it was outlawed. It was cruel and while freedom was attainable for some, it was a road that could lead to death. Frederick Douglass, a Baltimore-born black man who was a slave from birth, up until his escape from the U.S. in 1838 and subsequent legal freedom in 1846, was a key figure at this time. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass documents Douglass’ experience and escape from the south. While free, he was surrounded by a world that saw slavery as a necessity.

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392 Words | 2 Pages

The legendary abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass was one of the most important social reformers of the nineteenth century. Being born into slavery on a Maryland Eastern Shore plantation to his mother, Harriet Bailey, and a white man, most likely Douglass’s first master was the starting point of his rise against the enslavement of African-Americans. Nearly 200 years after Douglass’s birth and 122 years after his death, The social activist’s name and accomplishments continue to inspire the progression of African-American youth in modern society. Through his ability to overcome obstacles, his strive for a better life through education, and his success despite humble beginnings, Frederick Douglass’s aspirations stretched his influence through

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