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Crowther 1 Janelle Crowther Ms.

Blades AP Lang 11 Summer Assignment July 20, 2011 Part I: Journal Analysis Frederick Douglass wrote his story for the sole purpose of exposing the truth about slavery and enlightening his readers on how he turned his life as a slave into a life of a free man through determination and perseverance. His other reason to write was to encourage the abolition of slavery. 1- Whilst I was saddened by the thought of losing the aid of my kind mistress, I was gladdened by the invaluable instruction which, by the merest accident, I had gained from my master (41). Frederick Douglass described his emotions on the event of his master scolding his mistress for teaching slaves. Although he was upset on not receiving any more lessons from a nice mistress, he did also gain insight to the new world of literature and written works.

2- It was considered as being bad enough to be a slave; but to be a poor mans slave was deemed a disgrace indeed! (31).

Referring to the social status among the slaves, Douglass defines the difference from a slave and a poor mans slave. While being a slave was bad, it was furthermore embarrassing and a disgrace to become a poor mans slave

Crowther 2 due to food, clothing, and work conditions.

3- It is better that a dozen slaves suffer under the lash, than that the overseer should be convicted, in the presence of the slaves, of having been at fault (32).

Should it happen that the overseer be scolded while slaves are watching, a thought will stir in the heads of the slaves that the overseer is similar, in a way, to themselves. This thought will cause a social uprising from so many slaves thinking about who is really in charge. The slaveholders prefer that instead of charging the overseer for doing wrong, everything should be blamed on the slaves. Therefore, keeping the slaves blameful and ignorant.

4- It was worth a half-cent to kill a nigger, and a half-cent to bury one (35).

Douglass describes the comparison of the cost of killing a slave to the cost of burying one to be the same amount. Using words such as nigger, kill, and bury, the assumption is tending to the needs of slaves was a very degrading and uncaring process.

Crowther 3 5- From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise (39). Since he can remember, Douglass has always had the thought that slavery couldnt contain him. He has always fed the fire of thought within using a light, as described living word of faith and spirit of hope to ward off the foul embrace and to cheer [me] through the gloom.

6- But alas! this kind heart had but a short time to remain such. The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work. That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made of all sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon (40).

His mistress, once a kind lady, had evolved, through the act of enforcing slavery, into a cold-hearted soul. Douglass metaphorically described slavery as the fatal poison of irresponsible power which turned his mistress into a demon with [eyes] red with rage and [voice] changed to one of harsh and horrid discord. He is describing how even the power of people can change a being.

Crowther 4 7- If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey to his master-to do as he is told to do (40-41). This is a common proverbial adage such as if you give someone a little bit, they will want/take more. Though not directly stated, there were rules to owning slaves and one of them was to tolerate any cravings for more from the slaves. They were to expect little, receive little, and appreciate little.

8-A single word from the white men was enough-against all our wishes, prayer, and entreaties-to sunder forever the dearest friends, dearest kindred, and strongest ties known to human beings (50).

Douglass describes conditions using words such as wishes, prayers, and entreaties to portray how white men always had the last and final say in matters. Their words have the power to tear apart families and destroy lives.

9- Will not a righteous God visit for these things? (52).

This quote is a passage from the Bible, Jeremiah 5:29, wondering why there hasnt been a redemption for these poor slaves. Using the word righteous Douglass shows that he has hope in this God but that he is also very skeptical of Him helping.

Crowther 5 10- I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute (63). Mr. Covey, known as the nigger-breaker, tamed Douglass within a few months of backbreaking discipline. With each amount of work given, Douglass slowly evolved into a lifeless worker; no more liveliness in the body, soul, and spirit. This was a time in Douglasss life where he had hit rock bottom and found no desire or hope to keep moving on.

11- My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place; and I now resolved that, however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed forever when I could be a slave in fact. I did not hesitate to let it be known of me, that the white man who expected to succeed in whipping, must also succeed in killing me (69).

Douglass has found a great inner strength and after his battle with Mr. Covey, he has realized that he is able to overcome anyone! No one can stop him; whoever wants to whip him must also kill him. He realizes he might always be a slave but that does not mean he must always act like a beaten down slave; He is his own man. Phrases such as long-crushed spirit rose and cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place symbolize an inner resurrection within Douglass.

Crowther 6 12- But, by this time, I began to want to live upon free land as well as with Freeland; and I was no longer content, therefore, to live with him or any other slaveholder (76). Douglass plays on his masters name, Mr. Freeland, to his yearning for actual free land. He wants both free land and to be with Mr. Freeland, considering how much better he is than Mr. Covey, but since that is not possible, Douglass starts to devise a decision of whether or not to stay and he finally decides to leave.

13- He received all the benefits of slaveholding without its evils; while I endured all the evils of a slave, and suffered all the care and anxiety of a freeman (90).

Master Hugh cut a deal with Douglass where Douglass would work as a free man but Master Hugh would profit from it. Notice how Douglass uses the word evils for slaveholding and for being a slave. He has come to realize that whipping someone can be just as brutal as being whipped.

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14- Yet Mr. Johnson was a working man, His hands were hardened by toil, and not his alone, but those also of Mrs. Johnson. I found the colored people much more spirited than I had supposed they would be. I found among them a determination to protect each other from the bloodthirsty kidnapper, at all hazards (97).

Once he arrived to free land and was able to live the life blessed with freedom, Douglass was surprised by how hardworking the people of New Bedford seemed to be. He noticed that not only did the men work hard but so did the women. This is crucial because it showed Douglass a world where everyone worked equally and protected each other, similar to a huge family.

15- Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system, and hastening the glad day of deliverance to the millions of my brethren in bonds-faithfully relying upon the power of truth, love, and justice, for success in my humble efforts-and solemnly pledging my self anew to the sacred cause, -I subscribe myself, Frederick Douglass (106)

This is Douglasss purpose of writing this book: to expose the brutality and hardships of slavery to those who have been ignorantly watching from the sides. He used the words truth, love, and justice to describe his inner strength to carry on with his own life and the job of discovering the freedom for others. Douglass also states that he now is pledging himself to the cause of finding hope for those who most need it.

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