Narrative Of Life Of Frederick Douglass Adversity Essay

In reading “The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass”, we are going to take an overview of a success of a slave man. A slave who was born into slavery, a slave who struggle for liberty, a slave who suffered the whipping and insults from his masters. Douglass lived a difficult childhood. In his early years, he separated from his mom and he was not able to see her, and the man that he calls him a father was his white master. In addition, Douglass faced many challenges in his life. Such as his struggle to learn how to read and write, and then his famous battle with Mr. Covey, later until he escaped to the north were examples of these challenges. Actually, we can see that his succeeding in overcome obstacles and adversity that he faced in

Searching for the meaning of his life was one of the principles that helped Douglass find the importance of his existence. It mentioned in Brafman’s book that one of the ways to success in life is “to surround yourself with meaningful life” (Brafman 70). In other words, he tried to tell us that we should look to the things that inspires us and gives us the power to bring meaning into our lives. Indeed, we can see this obviously in Douglass’s life. Being a slave did not stop or distract Douglass from his goal. He saw that being literate is the way that can bring meaning into his life, and a tool that can end his slavery too. For instance, even though his mistress stopped teaching him, he did not give up. He starts teaching himself by himself. He sets a goal for himself and he was determined to achieve it, and he did it. Yet, Douglass understood that education is the path to his freedom; the key that can bring meaning to his life as well his to his

He explains that people who have this personality trait, challenges and adversity does not make them weak, no, it just make them stronger than before. He also mentioned that people with this personality trait relied more on themselves, and they refuse to allow “naysayers to dictate their destiny” (Brafman 93). In fact, that is what Douglass did too. He refuses to accept his destiny of being a slave. He did not allow his society neither his masters to decide his destiny. However, the battle between Douglass and Mr. Covey illustrate this principle. The picture of a slave fighting his master expresses his refusing to the injustice and brutality that slavery left for humans. Mr. Covey was Douglass’s master. The period that Douglass served at Mr. Covey’s land was the worst. Mr. Covey was famous of beating and whipping his slaves to make them under control. So, when Douglass was send to him, he whipped him every day until Douglass lost his interesting in reading and freedom. One day, while Mr. Covey was whipping Douglass, Douglass resolves to fight back. After this battle, Mr. Covey never touches Douglass again. This battle was a turning point in Douglass life. It paved the road to his freedom. Therefore, we can see how unwavering commitment match Douglass’s personality, and helped him in his success and in drawing his destiny