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What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July, By Frederick Douglass

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The adage “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglass is a story on how slaves are treated and the impression of the fourth of July to slaves. Douglass talks about how he, as well as other slaves, do not feel the need to celebrate like the white people. “You may rejoice, I must mourn” (Douglass 378). This is a compelling piece of writing because he speaks for the slaves, how slaves are treated, his background as a slave, and the extraordinary qualities of America. Douglass starts off the story with reasons about why the slaves do not feel the same as the white people. How Douglass analogizes this is by saying, “The sunlight that has brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me” (Douglass 378). While speaking for the slaves he talks about how slavery is the biggest disappointment in America (Douglass 379). Throughout the Fourth of July, white people talked about equality for all but to the slaves they knew that no such thing …show more content…

Douglass refers to the slave trades as “man-drover” instead of a “swine-drover” (Douglass 382). He says this because, “men and women were reared like swine for the market” (Douglass 382). The slaveholders were cruel people. They had all different types of torture devices they could use on the slaves. He then goes on to talk about, the sights and sounds. Cries from those who have been torn apart from their families. The yells from the slave masters as they give orders to the slaves. The sound of the whip echoed through the land followed by a scream of pure pain. That scream was from a woman who had a child and chains. Therefore, her speed of walking slowed and she received the whip to her shoulders (Douglass 383). All of these things happened not in fields, but on the way to New Orleans so that the slaves could be sold. Finally, they made it to New Orleans only to be treated like animals. The men and women were looked at like a piece of meat. Only wanted for work, nothing

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What to the Slave is the Fourth of July Introduction The 4th of July is an important day in American history it represents freedom and is usually associated with fireworks, parades, alcohol, and concerts. Those activities more or less represent today’s culture. When Fredrick Douglass made his speech he talked about American values such as liberty, citizenship, and freedom. The irony of this speech was that at the time white Americans in the south were still participating in slave trading.

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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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In the book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass reveals his life as a slave and the valuable lessons he learned from his experience. Douglass wants the truth about slavery to be revealed and wants to eliminate the lies that portray slavery as beneficial. Douglass exposes the reality of slavery by criticizing the “romantic image” of slavery, showing the intellectual capabilities slaves had, and revealing the reasons why slaves were disloyal to each other. Douglass criticizes the southern, romantic image of slavery by exposing the harsh treatment and sadness that slaves endured. It was southerners who thought slavery as beneficial, because it benefited themselves and white society.

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