The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass we learn how a common “black slave” breaks the typical stereotype of a slave by becoming one of the most respected African American slaves in our countries history. From being born on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland he learned first hand how brutal and unfair African American slaves were treated he knew he had to make a stand. In educating himself he learned to promote his ideals and gained respect from his fellow slaves about the injustice they are living under. Frederick knew the past was the past and he could change the present by educating other African American slaves, this is just one of the many reasons why Frederick Douglass name is talked about in early American history when talking about slavery. One major theme that I feel we can gather from Frederick is knowledge is the path to freedom. For Frederick to being able to read and write was one of the first example of his motivation to not be a typical African American slave but always wanting more to better himself and help his fellow slaves. In growing up as a young slave on a plantation his future looked very doomed. As a young boy he witnessed how bad slaves were treated for example how his masters would brutally beat slaves and show no remorse afterwards, luckily he was given to a slave owner in Baltimore named Hugh Auld where he first started to see a slim chance of hope towards a good life with a little education. He was taught to read and write by Hugh Auld’s wife Sophia but Hugh stopped this because he believed slaves should be able to read and write because they might revolt against their masters. But this did not stop Frederick in wanting to expand his intelligence by reading books such as, “The Columbian Orator.” This book helped fuel his interest in seeking the central meaning of what slavery is and why it exists. Frederick always shows his longing for freedom and was showed in his...
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