The theme of social inequality in a narrative of the life. Douglass points out that slaveholders have cunningly established as law the designation of the children of slave women to follow the condition of their mothers so as to legally protect themselves from becoming their fathers. Frederick douglass is one of the most celebrated writers in the african american literary tradition, and his first autobiography is the one of the most widely read north american slave narratives. Frederick douglass autobiography is perhaps the most influential of the american slave narratives. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Study guide for narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Published in 1845, sixteen years before the civil war began, the narrative describes douglass. The others were my bondage and my freedom 1855 and life and times of frederick douglass 1881, revised 1892.
Frederick douglass gives a summary of how he, like many other slave children, has no idea when his birthday is but as far he can guess it must have been around 1818. Themes of narrative life of fredrick douglass flashcards. For douglass, the important thing was that everything he said about slavery was true and since he had plenty to say on the subject, the book remains one of most important historical documents from that period, showing us the kinds of lives that. Douglass was born into slavery and goes from master to master, and he finally sees the power of education when he reaches baltimore to work for some new people. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass quotes and. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass literature essay samples. Frederick douglass has several strong messages or themes to communicate in his narrative. A summary of themes in frederick douglass s narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Inequality and christianity in terms of its true values within the institution of slavery are prominent themes in douglasss. Comment on douglass philosophy, citing examples and illustrations. At the time douglass was writing, many people believed that slavery was a natural state of being. Douglasss purpose is to educate people about the horrors of. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass summary shmoop. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass author.
Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave frederick douglass 1845 chapter 1 i was born in tuckahoe, near hillsborough, and about twelve miles from easton, in talbot county, maryland. Douglass frequently dramatizes the difference between his older, more experienced self and his younger self through references to his relative ignorance and naivete. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the narrative of frederick douglass, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Douglass s narrative shows how white slaveholders perpetuate slavery by keeping their slaves ignorant. And if the book is like a highway map, then the mile markers. Inequality and christianity in terms of its true values within the institution of slavery are prominent themes in douglasss narrative. Douglass believes that a person cant both be a christian and a slave owner. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american sla.
Narrative of the life of frederick douglass themes gradesaver. With these discussion questions, your class can explore the themes and impact of the narrative. These reprehensible people are quick to condemn slaves for the slightest violations of biblical principles, but are all too willing to twist scripture into justifying their own horrifyingly irreligious. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass that was is a memoir by frederick douglass that was first published in 1845. Douglasss encounter with edward covey, which reveals how a slave was made. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Several times in his narrative, douglass expresses his view that slavery is bad for both whites and blacks. The underlying assumption and philosophy of douglass narrative is that humans can and must create their destiny.
Essay about narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an. His narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave is a moving account of the courage of one mans struggle against the injustice of antebellum slavery. Notes on the narrative of the life of frederick douglass themes. As a young boy he was sent to baltimore, to be a house servant, where he learned to read and write, with the assistance of his masters wife. The narrative of the life of frederick douglass topic tracking.
The selfdestructive hypocrisy of christian slaveholders theme analysis narrative of the life of frederick douglass is full of blistering critiques of slave owners who feign religious piety. Douglass relays when he learns that education and reading is forbidden to slaves because education empowers the slave to freedom. Douglass s narrative is not simply an autobiography whose purpose is to tell a mans life story. Douglass s narrative is like a highway map, showing us the road from slavery to freedom. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave frederick douglass 1845 chapter 1 i was born in tuckahoe, near hillsborough, and about twelve miles.
The irony of education in narrative of the life of frederick douglass the power of education in narrative of the life of frederick douglass is one of the most important themes in the entire work, but it is not a theme with a consistent meaning. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass discussion. Education is key in the narrative of the life of frederick. Summary of narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an. Start studying narrative of the life of frederick douglass motifs. Get an answer for what are five themes in narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave. The narrative explains the strategies and procedures by which whites gain and keep power over blacks from their birth onward. What are the literary devices in narrative of the life of frederick douglass.
Narrative of the life of frederick douglass is an 1845 memoir and treatise on abolition written by famous orator and former slave frederick douglass during his time in lynn, massachusetts. Literary themes in narrative of the life of frederick douglass 1217 words 5 pages. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass is a memoir and treatise on abolition written by famous orator and exslave, frederick douglass. In his masterful work titled narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave, frederick unveils a touching story by initially speculating his own idenitity and family background.
More summaries and resources for teaching or studying the narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Frederick douglass s friends in the abolitionist movement were all extremely faithful christians, but, in the narrative of the life of frederick douglass, douglass has some really harsh criticisms for slave owners who claim to be christians. Born in february of 1818 on the holme hill farm in talbot county, maryland, he grows to become an adventurer in a life that turns out to be more tumultuous. Douglass progresses from uneducated, oppressed slave to worldly and articulate political commentator. Like most slaves, he does not know when he was born, because masters usually try to keep their slaves from knowing their own ages. These uniquely african american themes permeate through this literature starting a conversation among these works that a white voice cannot pale. Douglasss narrative is not simply an autobiography whose purpose is to tell a mans life story. The narrative of frederick douglass themes from litcharts the. A discussion of the narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave, written by himself themes running throughout the narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Frederick douglass wrote three autobiographies during his life. He was not born with right of freedom with all have today in this country. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass themes ignorance as a means to perpetuate slavery.
Douglass, narrative of the life of frederick douglass, p. The narrative of frederick douglass themes litcharts. An american slave, told by himself that can be used as essay starters. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american. There are a number of important themes in the narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Notes on the narrative of the life of frederick douglass. A few of which include inequality, education and an urban environment as the keys to freedom, as well as the duality of christianity in terms of its. When the book ends, he gets both his legal freedom and frees his mind. The wide gulf between douglasss two personas is, in fact, the point of the narrative. He was writing to a white audience who often had misconceptions about slavery. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass themes shmoop. Slavery is the big theme in the narrative of the life of frederick douglass, since he wrote his book to convince people that slavery was wrong. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Major themes in narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass is full of blistering critiques of slave owners who feign religious piety. Douglasss experience often shows that the white southerners who participate. What are five themes in narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass thesis essay. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass summary. And if the book is like a highway map, then the mile markers are a series of epiphanies, or moments of.
Frederick douglass, though born into slavery was taught how to read, and when he escaped to the north he wrote narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave. Major themes in frederick douglasss narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Narrative hook theme recommendation the narrative hook of the story is how did frederick escape slavery. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass study guide. Great supplemental information for school essays and projects. In factual detail, the text describes the events of his life and is considered to be one.
Narrative of the life of frederick douglass discussion questions. I recommend this book to everyone, its a great novel, and doesnt lose the readers attention. For douglass, the important thing was that everything he said about slavery was true. Douglasss purpose is to educate people about the horrors of slavery. He also emphasizes the distorted mentality that accompanies the institution of slavery. Frederick douglass theme analysis free essay example. Within the narrative, douglass makes use of literary. The significant of education in narrative of the life of frederick douglass is the most important theme in the entire passage. This dramatic autobiography of the early life of an american slave was first published in 1845, when its young author had just achieved his freedom.
Being a former slave himself made his accounts of cruelty and malice all the more believable and persuading against the practice. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave was published in 1845, less than seven years after douglass escaped from slavery. Literary elements in narrative of the life of frederick. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave illustrated. Religion weaves itself through the text in a myriad of ways. Douglasss experience often shows that the white southerners who participate most zealously in religious activities are often the same ones who treat slaves most inhumanely. It is one of the earliest narratives written by a former american slave. A few of which include inequality, education and an urban environment as the keys to freedom, as well as the duality of christianity in terms of its true values within the institution of slavery are three themes that are present in the autobiography of frederick douglass. Themes in narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Themes in narrative of the life of frederick douglass by student ignorance as a tool of slavery. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass themes. The book narrative of the life of frederick douglass, by frederick douglass, is a story about frederick douglasss life as a slave and how he goes on his quest to achieve freedom. Frederick douglass understands that the only way to freedom, for him and also other slaves, is through learning to read, write, and also have an education.
Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave. He was not sure of the exact year of his birth, but he knew that it was 1817 or 1818. Frederick douglass was born in slavery as frederick augustus washington bailey near easton in talbot county, maryland. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave illustrated kindle edition by douglass, frederick. Start studying themes of narrative life of fredrick douglass. Thus, resistance in the narrative centers on nonviolence and patient endurance. This is a big task, of course, as there are 11 chapters to frederick douglass slave narrative.
The theme of social inequality in a narrative of the life of frederick douglass by frederick douglass and a room of ones own by virginia woolf. This study guide and infographic for frederick douglasss narrative of the life of frederick douglass offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Readers outside the united states should check their own countries. An american slave thesis statements and important quotes below you will find three outstanding thesis statements paper topics for the narrative of the life of frederick douglass. At the beginning of the book, douglass is a slave in both body and mind. I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen.
Narrative of the life of frederick douglass themes course hero. Both a memoir and abolitionist statement, narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave 1845 is considered one of the most important and influential writings of the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century in. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave and other writings. Although throughout the narrative, frederick douglass has a tendency to skip around often and does not always follow a completely chronological ordering, the work begins with his childhood. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of narrative of the life of frederick douglass by frederick douglass. What are five themes in narrative of the life of frederick. They believed that blacks were inherently incapable of participating in civil society and thus should be kept as workers for whites. Narrative of the life of frederick douglass sparknotes. The narrative of the life of frederick douglass, an american slave is an autobiography that tells the story of the authors 21 years as a slave and later years as a free man and abolitionist. Written by himself study guide contains a biography of frederick douglass, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
It is generally held to be the most famous of a number of narratives written by former slaves during the same period. Major themes in frederick douglass s narrative of the life of frederick douglass. Literary themes in narrative of the life of frederick. Douglasss narrative is like a highway map, showing us the road from slavery to freedom. This study guide and infographic for frederick douglass s narrative of the life of frederick douglass offer summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text. Learn and understand all of the themes found in narrative of the life of frederick douglass, such as education. In narrative of the life of frederick douglass by frederick douglass, douglass employs several literary themes and techniques through which he appeals to peoples emotions and basic humanity rather than using cold and convoluted logic to prove that slavery was an immoral practice. Frederick douglass theme analysis essay custom university.