Compare And Contrast Twain And Douglass

Conformity can be as simple as wearing the newest trend, or as complex as a society learning ideas that may affect their individual freedoms. Some people feel safer when they are the same and cannot be bullied or taken advantage of. Other people however, feel they have to go against conformity as it can drag down society, and limit individuality, which is essential for people to prosper and grow. As seen in both works of Twain and Douglass they emphasized the ideas of conformity. It is easy to give into conformity because it is often what is expected by society. Both of them had different perspectives, yet their messages and themes were still very similar. Although some believe that Twain and Douglass’ pieces were more different because of

As a slave, Douglass experienced the injustice and in the end he said that he would rather die than be subject to slavery again. The common message of abolition of slavery was impactful in both readings as expressed through the somber tone throughout both. Death is a permanent thing and Douglass understands that but he also knows the inhumane treatment they must endure so he does not take it lightly. This is important because of how it is a first hand experience, but slavery did not only impact the slaves but the society they were in. Slavery cannot be seen as only affecting slaves but all the institutions connected to it, which is why it’s important to realize the indirect experiences of other types of people. Douglass was against just conforming to the society who stripped him of this powers. In realizing that what he did was wrong, Huck realizes the humanity in Jim, and disregarded his Southern belief and just felt a human connection, “It made me feel so mean I could almost kissed his foot to get him

As Douglass also discussed, “Don’t you reckon that the people that made the books knows what’s the correct thing to do?” (Twain 7). Tom is easily drawn into the idea that people have their best interest in mind, which may not always happen. He believes what he is told because he feels that others have their best interest in mind, which is not always the case. He is quick to trust and he never questions anything he is told. This piece of irony is important to how Twain wants to spread the message of how people should not so easily just accept what they have been told to do or believe. The book symbolizes the education system, showing how the system has conditioned young students, like Tom, to trust their education which often times are biased. Young children were learning from the society and where being hurt and suppressed. When Douglass’ mistress attempts to educate him, she is met with societal expectations that slaveholders were expected to follow, “It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master” (Douglass 14). In not educating the slaves they were kept inferior and simple. They wouldn’t question their masters and in essence they would be dumbed down. This is a different way of education than the white people. This was used specifically to keep the people submissive,