Analysis of Frederick Douglass Narrative

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Frederick Douglass was brought from Africa as a baby to the U.S. to become a slave during the 17th century. In his narrative book “Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass,” he used rhetoric to provoke reader’s emotions, and inspiration of hope when everything isn’t good. Douglass used the rhetoric appeal pathos to show people how horrible he was treated as a slave, and how he kept up his motivation about becoming free from slavery. In addition, he also used pathos so effective that readers can see his experiences in front of themselves.
Douglass used pathos to show the readers how horrible he was treated while he was a slave. For example, he wrote about how he was whipped, both physically and emotionally, and that he couldn’t be his optimistic self any longer. In addition, Douglass throughout the book said that his personality changed, and the reason for that was because of the slavery. “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!” (Douglass 116) In his book, Douglass was very detailed about how he was treated during the slavery, and by using pathos it also provokes emotions from the readers. In addition, of the personality change, lack of enthusiasm, the slaves didn’t have a life to return to after their thankless work. Moreover, because of the use Douglass used rhetoric he also cause most readers to feel sympathetic towards him. For instance, when I read the book, I felt sorry for both Douglass, but also the other people who were slaves. I can only imagine how it would be to do a lot of work, but...

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... as a picture in front of me, and here how the girl screams because of the whipping. When he was in his fight with Mr. Covey is another scene that I remember very well. The fight kept on going for two hours, and all the detailed explanations made it very intense; it was almost like seeing a movie because he used his rhetoric in such a good way. Douglass used pathos in a way that makes the readers both see a picture in front of themselves, and here the sounds of people screaming, which provokes different emotions.
Even though Douglass didn’t study any rhetoric he was able to use it in a very effective way to provoke readers emotions. Because of the use of pathos Douglass also inspires readers with his motivation. His motivation was about becoming free from slavery one day. However, it inspired me as a reader to not give up, even if you have a rough day, or problem.

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