Frederick Douglass Research Paper

There are several different types of writers classified using certain criteria based on the reader. According to Vladimir Nabokov, an English professor, the definition of a good writer is “a storyteller, as a teacher, and as an enchanter” (1036). Nabokov further describes the ideal quality of being a deceiver. Frederick Douglass, author of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, meets Nabokov’s explanation of a good writer in three of the four ways.

First of all, Nabokov stated, “every great writer is a great deceiver” (1035). Douglass uses this quality effectively throughout his story of his life in slavery. He tends to explain situations in ways to mislead the reader and strengthen the view against slavery. Douglass

“To the storyteller we turn for entertainment, for mental excitement of the simplest kind, for emotional participation” (Nabokov 1036). He did an excellent job in keeping the reader entertained and engaged in his story. Drawing the reader in and making them empathize for all his hardships he endured was his main accomplishment. The account of slavery firsthand creates a large amount of emotional participation. Most likely, the reader continued to encourage Douglass when he fought against Covey and was determined to escape. Also, his strive for education was a trait to look up to. “The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was must successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street. As many of these I could, I converted into teachers. With their kindly aid, obtained at different times and in different places, I finally succeeded in learning to read” (Douglass 44). This was a perfect plan in gaining education, because the little white kids haven’t learned the horrible act of slavery and whites being superior to black yet. It completely shows that the racism is not a born trait, you are taught it through society. Douglass used this as an emotional attachment for his readers. They can finally understand the act of slavery to be negative and especially wish for Douglass’ freedom later on in his life. His ability to be a storyteller led the attachment with the