Similarities Between Caliban And Frederick Douglass

How do issues of race and class impact Caliban and Frederick Douglass? Frederick Douglass was born a slave, therefore he became property, not even considered to be a human being; looked down upon for different appearance/race. As this shows, Douglass was also a slave whom was taught and absorbed the English ways of society, civilization, as well as culture (religion, language, lifestyle, etc.). However, having the same religion was not enough for the slaves to be freed or given the right to own their own territory, the English then decided to make a border line between “black and white” instead of class and culture. Hence, the fact that they are at the bottom class signifies either servants or slaves, the English perceived their race to be related to the Devil or a trait of savagery, moreover thinking they had no intellect and were easy to control. Also, being a slave can also cause to

Like English viewed Indians, Prospero viewed Caliban’s race as being “inferior” and savage, for he is a native and different from what he believes is civil. Prospero takes him under his control and teaches him the ways of what he thinks is civilized, teaching him language and chores, and eventually making him his slave. Like Douglass and slaves, he would be punished often by Prospero’s spirits for any offense such as a wrong response to just a small mistake or look. Caliban’s status/class went from being the “king” of the island that his mother left him to being a slave, just like the Indians were manipulated by the English while they plotted on how to take their land away. Caliban however can think for himself, yet others view him as inferior because of his race, thinking he has no intellect. Being a native of his land, he was prone to showing Prospero and Miranda around, only to be then taught a new culture and being