Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass Reflection Paper

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an autobiography that was written in 1845. The book gives several examples and experiences to help show the severity of pre-Civil War slavery. In his writings, Douglass describes his encounters with cruel masters, fellow slaves, and the people that influenced him in attaining freedom. However, as the book goes on, Douglass explains that he suffers more when he gains something that he values most. In learning to read and fighting for liberty, Douglass experiences more pain than he did when he was an obedient slave. This thought process may seem paradoxical, but Douglass enforces the idea that knowing what kind liberty he can achieve without being able to actually attain his own freedom causes him the most anguish of all his trials, leading him toward a bold course of action.

3. While living on the Hugh’s property in Maryland, Douglass was given, although indirectly, the opportunity to read. Despite his longing to become literate, Douglass soon realized that understanding the world around him may not be as easy as it seemed. Douglass explained that his ability to read and learn about local communities made him upset, as literacy had made him aware of his “wretched condition, without the remedy” (Pg 29). Douglass started to realize that he was in a terrible position, and he longed more than ever to be free from his slavery. 1. Oh, how he longed for the ignorance that had saved him from the terrible reality that was the severity of slavery! Through this realization, Douglass came to know the desperation for liberty that would continue throughout his time as a