Process Analysis In Frederick Douglass By This Time, My Little Master Thomas

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Frederick Douglass uses process analysis to further explain how he was able to teach himself how to write. In his writing, Douglass states, “By this time, my little Master Thomas had gone to school, and learned how to write, and had written over a number of copy-books. These had been brought home, and shown to some of our near neighbors, and then laid aside. My mistress used to go to class meeting at the Wilk Street meeting house every Monday afternoon, and leave me to take care of the house. When left thus, I used to spend the time in writing in the space left in Master Thomas’s copy book, copying what he had written” (Douglass 3). In this piece of his writing, Douglass easily displays the use of process analysis, through explaining every …show more content…

For instance, he went into the first step that his Master Thomas had gone to school and learned how to write. Then, he explains that the next step was that Thomas would bring his copy books home. Douglass later explained of another important occurrence, that these copy books were eventually set aside and were not used or looked at any longer. After this, he explains the next vital step, that on Monday afternoons his mistress would go to a class meeting, and would leave him to tend to the house. Finally, during this time in every week, Douglass would take advantage of this opportunity through practicing and learning to write. At a different point in his writing, Douglass states, “After that I met with any boy who I knew could write, I would tell him I could write as well as he. The next word would be, “I don’t believe you. Let me see you try it.” I would then make the letters which had been so fortunate as to learn, and ask him to beat that. In this way I got a good many lessons in writing” (Douglass 3). This is another instance where Douglass displays the use of process analysis by explaining another method he would use to learn how to write. In accordance, Douglass’s first step would be to meet with any boy he …show more content…

In his writing, Douglass states, “I was now about twelve years old, and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart. Just about this time, I got hold of a books entitled “The Columbian Orator.” Every opportunity I got, I used to read this book. Among much of other interesting matter, I found in it a dialogue between a master and his slave” (Douglass 2). Douglass displays the use of narration in this piece of writing through himself explaining an identified experience he endured. This can be most certainly identified through Douglass’s through use of “I”. He explains that he was able to gain the possession of a book, called “The Columbian Orator.” He goes into further detail that he was deeply enjoyed and impassioned when reading this books. He explains would read the book every single chance that he had. He describes that out of much other interesting matter he found a dialogue between a master and his slave to be his favorite. Later in his writing, Douglass states, “As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without remedy. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but no ladder upon which to get out” (Douglass 2). This is another instance where Douglass exhibits his use of narration in his writing