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How Does Frederick Douglass Present The Power Of The Slaveholders

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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass delves insightfully within the life of a slave, revealing the natures of power and how it affects those who are incapable of handling it properly. In this record, Douglass demonstrates that the system of slavery not only pulverizes the slave, but also the slaveholders. The power that the slaveholders possess, one which is devoid of responsibility, has a dehumanizing impact on them; annihilating their ethics and sense of self-conviction. It breaks the frailest hearts and finest emotions transforming them into those of a devil. Douglass narrates his parentage to demonstrate the hardships confronted when a master adopts the guise of a father. The sinister desires of the slaveholders wreck the lives of their youngsters. It also dehumanizes the master who whips or sells his children, led by nothing more than respect for the feelings of his white wife, breaking the solidarity of the family and dividing the house upon itself. …show more content…

An example of that is the character of Sophia Auld. Before bondage produced its results, she was a thoughtful and kind lady who comprehended the nature of goodness and righteous morality. However, upon perceiving the power of the white man and his authority to subjugate the blacks, she morphed into a cruel and unforgiving slaveholder.It is here that we see how power feasts on the flesh of the weak and unprepared, denying of their humanity and understanding. Another character in the narrative is Thomas Auld. He becomes remorseless and devoid of feeling upon acquiring unprecedented authority and power through marriage, using religion as an instrument to back his decisions and support his

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