Frederick Douglass Chapter 6 Analysis

When he describes in detail the change his mistress underwent from a “tender-hearted woman” to someone zealous for his ignorance he expresses his ability to be an objective observer. This objectiveness one of main foundations of Douglass’s Ethos, or ethical appeal. While Douglass does show that he is an

During the period in which there was the terrible fight against slavery, Frederick Douglass considered himself as a delegate for political cause. The African American author tried to refute every single argument employed against slaves and it was clearly seen throught several scenes of his narrative especially in the scene with the wife of Master Hugh, Sofia Auld who taught him the art of reading. She had never owned a slave before. Thus, she was very sympathetic with him. Using this statement, Hugh Auld detailed some joint ideas concerning slaves and the widespread slave holding in the South over the 19th century.

Auld felt that it would make him unfit for slavery. At the beginning of the passage, he recalls being sent to live with one of his slave master’s relatives, Hugh Auld. Hugh’s wife begins to teach Douglass to read and write, but he forbade her saying that “it will make Douglass unfit for slavery.” Despite

Mr. and Mrs. Auld ; Mrs. Auld was generously kind enough to allow Douglass to know how to read as well as to write but unfortunately this generosity came to an end. Mr Auld was not found of Douglass being able to be like a regular human; therefore learning how to read and write. While Mr. Auld gives a lecture to Mrs. Auld on how douglass would be “Spoiled” in addition to be “Unfit to be a slave” this is also when the kindness of Mrs. Auld comes to an end. When Douglass was growing to adulthood he remembered these horrifying moments and wrote them down.

In this autobiography, “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, by Frederick Douglass, slavery is introduced as a negative effect in many different ways. Although slavery is a tough subject to talk about, the reader believes that it should be addressed and considered as one of the most negative events in history. A moral effect from the autobiography, is from Frederick’s perspective of Mrs.Auld, a wife to a slaveholder. He states, “That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery soon became red with rage; the voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord;

This was the start of what came throughout the beginning of his life. As he continued his journey as a slave he had more horrific experiences that are intended to breakdown the slaves mentally and physically. One main example that Frederick Douglass used to show the negative effects of slavery on people were with Mrs. Sophia Auld and her change in attitude towards Douglass before and after her inception into the world of slavery. When Douglass first is sent to Baltimore to work for the family of Hugh and Sophia Auld, he is wildly excited and impressed at how well they both treated him. Neither of them had ever owned any slaves and treated him way better than he had ever been treated before.

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 all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon… I have had her rush at me with a face made all up of fury, and snatch from me a newspaper, in a manner that fully revealed her apprehension.” (Douglass, 28, 33).

He starts out describing his new slave owner, Sophia Auld as “a white face beaming with the most kindly emotions; it was the face of my new mistress, Sophia Auld. I wish I could describe the rapture that flashed through my soul as I beheld it. It was a new and strange sight to me, brightening up my pathway with the light of happiness” (Ch. 5 ¶10). Douglass uses diction in “the rapture that flashed through my soul as I beheld it” to portray the effects of her gentle, compassionate personality. The word “rapture” eloquently expresses his feelings of joy and peace as he meets Mrs. Auld.

Lastly, Douglass’ explains his thought on slavery and from what he says it becomes ironic. One of the ironies in the book that Douglass talks about is how religious slaves are more cruel than non-religious slaves. In chapter 9, Douglass’ master, Thomas Auld, became

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.

When Mr. Auld warned Mrs. Auld of the dangers that would come about with an intelligent slave, Douglass recognized the path from slavery to freedom. “It was a new and special revelation, explaining dark and mysterious things, with which my youthful understanding had struggled, but struggled in vain. I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty – to whit, the white man’s power to enslave the black man. It was a grand achievement, and I prized it highly. From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom.

They borrowed him from his owner. Douglass portrayed her as a nice woman at first but having power over another human made her heartless. Douglass said, “The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work.”(Pg.13 E.1) This is striking because he used engaging language to describe and tell the readers how horrible owning another human being is and how knowing you have power over someone else can make you terrible.

Douglass describes how his mistress used to be a good person, in the text it states, “There was no sorrow or suffering for which she not had a tear. She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. ”(Douglass 201) Douglass’ mistress would help anyone who needed or asked for help, she was a kind and generous person at this time. The reader can imagine a nice woman that at this time Douglass thought very highly of, he appreciated all her help, but his opinion of her changed when she changed. The thought of being a slave for life really effected Douglass, for example, in the text it states, “ and the thought of being a slave for life began to bear heavily upon my heart.

But, he then goes to show how her transformation came to be of a true mistress and how that kind of foolish power corrupted her. She was not a bad person, but being able to control over another human being transformed her from an angel into a demon. Douglass saw the change in her how “That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon” (38). This just shows how slavery affects not just the slave but the slave owners as well. This vicious cycle desecrates and destroys everyone involved.

Douglass begins his letter with his intent, an elaborate and formal appeal to Douglass’ real audience: readers of the North Star to bring forth the atrocities caused not only by Auld but by slavery as a whole. Throughout the letter, Douglass refers to his treatment by Auld; further driving his point that slavery is terrible and that slaves deserve the same basic rights as those who own slaves. Douglass is quick to speak about his own experience as an escaped slave and his success outside of Auld’s ownership to help solidify that point further. Douglass occasionally does this specifically to belittle and call forward Auld’s actions, even referring to himself as more intelligent (Douglass 102). Throughout the letter, Douglass’ common theme is one of anti-slavery and often directly attacks Auld’s actions.