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What Is Frederick Douglass Argument In Chapter 4

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Samantha Ghobrial Mrs. Stultz AP Lang/Comp; Per. 4 19 March 2023 Chapter 3 Argument: In the third chapter of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass argues that the slaveholders' horrible treatment of their slaves resulted in the less commendable traits and behaviors in the slaves, who were solely focused on protecting themselves. The slaves' actions were motivated by prejudice and dishonesty, but they were also driven by the same rationality and feelings that all individuals experience. In chapter 3, Douglass narrates the tale of a slave who was questioned about his treatment. This slave stated the truth, that he was mistreated, and as a result, he was sold to another trader. Other slaves had learnt from his mistake, according …show more content…

Because of his unwavering commitment, his journey and all of his suffering ultimately led to his success and freedom. Even in the face of impossible odds, he never lost sight of his goals, and as a result, he achieved recognition and became a hero of his time. Douglass developed the ability to resist and defeat the slavery system that had oppressed and robbed him in the past. His capacity to do so highlights everyone's power to overcome past and present adversity. Douglass is still tormented by the atrocities and suffering he portrayed in his autobiography, but it is precisely those memories that drive his desire to combat slavery and tell the truth. Readers who are going through their own hardships can take inspiration from his journey and know that they can overcome anything. Douglass's every decision, as well as every idea and memory, serves as evidence that even the most difficult struggles can be endured. Although adversity is often intolerable, it is what builds character and resilience. I n order to triumph over hardship, one must not let their pessimism consume them and dwell on the past. Instead, one must dig deep and draw power and tenacity from their pain like Douglass. Make the necessary changes, even if the outcome is unknown. Ask for assistance, communicate with those who care about you, and seek comfort in others. Family and friends who could have helped Douglass were not …show more content…

The truth—the unpleasant, horrible truth—must be known because it is so significant. This has been one of the most impactful readings in school because it doesn't hold back. Although learning about slavery is neither joyful or simple, it reveals the truth that slavery still has a bearing on Black Americans' lives and experiences. Despite the need of educating about slavery, it appears that classroom discussions regarding the subject are doomed to failure in some classrooms. There are petitions to remove slavery from textbooks all around America. Educators in Texas have advocated renaming slavery to "involuntary relocation." Beyond that, teachers often spread misinformation or only skim the surface of the horrible reality. They worry that it will be too unpleasant or that they aren't ready to present the material. Slavery is an emotive and unsettling subject, but that is precisely the point. To really grasp the country they live in, the several millions of kids in America need to be taught the entirety of the country's history, not just the comfortable aspects. The truth must be known, or else the continuing presence of racism and discrimination in America will never cease. This truth is demonstrated in Douglass' narrative, making it one of the most powerful biographies ever

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161 Words | 1 Pages

Douglass uses paradox to demonstrate that slavery degragrates the slaverholder. When Douglass under Mr. Sever’s care he described that: “He was less cruel, less profane… He whipped, but seemed to take no pleasure in it. ”(Douglass 24). Most slaveholders are characterized to be cruel and inhuman because of the whipping and the way they treated the slaves.

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He speaks about Douglass own work being truthful in the way that Douglass Narrative affects readers in an emotional way. According to Garrison, Douglass suffered but gained many valuable lessons. The case of Douglass is extreme because his story portrays a young man escaping slavery, understanding what it means to be a slave, becoming educated, and lessons he learned. He was inspired in making slaves free and arguing that slaves are American

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Douglass’ anecdote provided evidence to support his assertion that slaves often fought over the relative merits of their masters, adding to his argument’s ethos and establishing credibility. The substance of the anecdote also added to his argument by showcasing a harmful effect of slavery; its inconsistencies distorted the slaves’ view of the world, causing them to debate over their masters’ relative goodness and consider even the most basic of mannerisms to be indicative of a kind master. Though the readers obviously knew the true nature of the slave owners from the previous accounts of Frederick Douglass, the fact that slaves were so far

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1080 Words | 5 Pages

In “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, Douglass narrates in detail the oppressions he went through as a slave before winning his freedom. In the narrative, Douglass gives a picture about the humiliation, brutality, and pain that slaves go through. We can evidently see that Douglass does not want to describe only his life, but he uses his personal experiences and life story as a tool to rise against slavery. He uses his personal life story to argue against common myths that were used to justify the act of slavery. Douglass invalidated common justification for slavery like religion, economic argument and color with his life story through his experiences torture, separation, and illiteracy, and he urged for the end of slavery.

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“...Living but a short distance from where I used to live, murdered my wife’s cousin, a young girl between fifteen and sixteen years of age, mangling her person in the most horrible manner, breaking her nose and breastbone with a stick, so that the poor girl expired in a few hours afterwards. ”(34) Douglass’s use of anecdotes throughout the novel, strengthen his argument of the inhuman acts slavery commits. Because slaves only had the rights their masters condoned, any punishment a master decided on was permitted. As humans everyone makes mistakes, but because slaves are dehumanized, mistakes are practically a death sentence.

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1835 Words | 8 Pages

Throughout his enslavement, he became a beacon of hope and resilience to millions of slaves across America (Chaisson 1). Douglass made many contributions to abolish slavery with his writing. In addition, Douglass has an enduring impact on today’s world. Frederick Douglass faced a brutal childhood including being abused throughout his enslavement and escaping slavery but he was determined to educate himself

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489 Words | 2 Pages

In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass wants to change what his readers believe about it means to be dedicated to the American idea that "All men are created equal. " In his narrative Douglass touches on the fact that all people including the slaves, have a yearning for knowledge of themselves. He also talks about the "Poison of the irresponsible power”. That the masters have upon their slaves that are dehumanizing and shameless. Something no one should ever experience.

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1049 Words | 5 Pages

Group Essay on Frederick Douglass “That this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system”, and that Frederick Douglass does in his eponymous autobiography. Douglass throws light by dispelling the myths of the slave system, which received support from all parts of society. To dispel these myths Douglass begins to construct an argument composed around a series of rhetorical appeals and devices. Douglass illustrates that slavery is dehumanizing, corrupting, and promotes Christian hypocrisy. Using telling details, Douglass describes the dehumanizing effects of the slave system which condones the treatment of human beings as property.

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The Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass shows the imbalance of power between slaves and their masters. In his book, Douglass proves that slavery is a destructive force not only to the slaves, but also for the slaveholders. “Poison of the irresponsible power” that masters have upon their slaves that are dehumanizing and shameless, have changed the masters themselves and their morality(Douglass 39). This amount of power and control in contact with one man breaks the kindest heart and the purest thoughts turning the person evil and corrupt. Douglass uses flashbacks that illustrate the emotions that declare the negative effects of slavery.

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749 Words | 3 Pages

All of Douglass’s life, he endured discrimination, oppression, as well as many other evil attributes intertwined within slavery. In his conquest for survival, he was shunned away and told to return to the one who caused his mass oppression, while he was seeking the slightest amount of sympathy and regard for his condition. He returned to this treacherous instance caused by slavery, where he then endured mass beatings and torture for his pursuit of basic needs for his means of self survival. This oppression he faced caused Douglass to turn a leaf mentally, to stand up and fight for his rights of

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753 Words | 4 Pages

Frederick Douglass’s narrative provides a first hand experience into the imbalance of power between a slave and a slaveholder and the negative effects it has on them both. Douglass proves that slavery destroys not only the slave, but the slaveholder as well by saying that this “poison of irresponsible power” has a dehumanizing effect on the slaveholder’s morals and beliefs (Douglass 40). This intense amount of power breaks the  kindest heart and changes the slaveholder into a heartless demon (Douglass 40). Yet these are not the only ways that Douglass proves what ill effect slavery has on the slaveholder. Douglass also uses deep characterization, emotional appeal, and religion to present the negative effects of slavery.

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392 Words | 2 Pages

Douglass managed to overcome the maltreatment of his wretched slave owners through the eventual attainment of freedom. The injustice imposed upon the African-American slaves by their owners was the crux of Douglass’s motivation to escape this inhumane life. Adolescents in today’s society could use Frederick’s determination as an example of moving forward to better oneself or one’s situation regardless of

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1691 Words | 7 Pages

Douglass' story is a detailed and personal account of the horrors of slavery, while also highlighting the perseverance and determination of those who fought for freedom. The themes 6explored in this story are still relevant today, as individuals and communities struggle for equality and justice. Douglass's message that education is the key to freedom and empowerment is as relevant today as it has ever been, emphasizing the transformative power of knowledge on individuals and societies. Douglass's narrative serves as a reminder that the struggle for freedom and equality is ongoing and that education and knowledge are powerful tools in the fight against

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660 Words | 3 Pages

He writes about the horrific treatment of enslaved people to show the readers that black people were not views as equal or ‘good enough’. Enslaved people were often valued before being sold. They were ranked among property and livestock. Not only was this severely dehumanizing, but it showed that slave holders did not see the enslaved as equal to them. Douglass also describes the many acts of violence towards him and many others.

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973 Words | 4 Pages

Because of this, he successfully creates a contrast between what the slave owners think of and treat the slaves and how they are. Douglass says that slave’s minds were “starved by their cruel masters”(Douglass, 48) and that “they had been shut up in mental darkness” (Douglass, 48) and through education, something that they were deprived of, Frederick Douglass is able to open their minds and allow them to flourish into the complex people that they are. By showing a willingness to learn to read and write, the slaves prove that they were much more than what was forced upon them by their masters.

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