Frederick Douglass's Transformation Essay

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Enslavement is the worst state of being a human could possibly have in this world. It was neither natural for the master nor slave to be in either position. Slavery breaks one down mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Even while suffering the trials and tribulations of slavery, everyone at some point in time goes through a monumental transition that leads them to where they desire to be. The key to this transition is what precedes it and what leads that person to finally say they have had enough. Very few can say, and even fewer write what it was like to be made a slave, be a slave, and attain freedom after. Frederick Douglass did just that, he went to the equivalent of hell on earth, and returned a man. He was then able to write …show more content…

The first step was mental, and it first manifested itself when he thought to himself, “there is a better day coming”. (Douglass 365) The first step becoming free is believing that there is hope, believing that there is a way out besides death. His next mental step towards ascending back towards manhood was his refusal to comply to Covey’s orders, “I made no effort to comply, having now made up my mind”. (Douglass 366) This refusal of Covey’s orders showed him that he no longer had broken Douglass and Douglass will no longer continue to be overcome by Mr. Covey’s violence and deception. In order to make a true transformation one’s mind has to be in the right state. By believing that there was more for him, Douglass freed his mind from the chains of slavery. The mental transformation of Douglass continued at Mr. Freeland’s plantation. Douglas decided that, “1835 should not pass without witnessing an attempt, on my part, to secure my liberty”. (Douglass 373) From that point on, Douglass prepared his mind for freedom, focusing on all ways he could attain …show more content…

The root had a deeper meaning, “I was half inclined to think the root to be something more than I at first had taken it to be”. (Douglass 368) The root could have stood for the roots of his ancestors that had come before him and his African roots pushing Douglass to stay strong and persevere. This meaning of the root would bring up his mental strength and give him the spirit of courage to face Mr. Cover with no fears. When the time came, “the virtue of the root was fully tested”, which means his true spirit was tested. His true spirit was tested during the battle with Covey and “it recalled the departed self-confidence, and inspired [him] again with determination to be free”. (Douglass 369) His spirit was lifted because, Douglass realized for the first time in a long time that he and Covey were equals and covey had no spiritual power over him anymore. When Douglass fought back, his spirit was freed from the hands of Covey because Covey could no longer break his spirit because Douglass proved himself. His spirit was also strengthened by Covey because not once after the fight did Covey attempt to discipline Douglass. This non-action raised Douglass’ spirit even more as he had broken the “slave

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