Slavery in Literature

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Slavery in Literature Frederick Douglass was born into the lifelong, evil, bondage of slavery. His autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, depicts his accomplishments. The narrative, however, is not only the story of his success. It is not simply a tale of his miraculous escape from slavery. Frederick Douglass' narrative is, in fact, an account of his tremendous strides through literacy. He exemplifies a literate man who is able to use the psychological tools of thought to escape the intense bonds of slavery. Hard labor, and deprivation of both physical and spiritual necessities, defined slavery in the south. Frederick Douglass struggled throughout his youth to keep himself amply fed and, in optimum physical condition. He struggled throughout his life, searching for some rational belief. Through his potentially lifelong struggle of slavery, he was forced to use his reasoning to overcome internal as well as external obstacles. Separated from his family and loved ones, Frederick Douglass was deprived of past cultural and religious beliefs. He also had the burden of watching his masters use religion as justification for the treacherous conditions of slavery. The ambiguous picture that he received about religion developed a question of God's benevolence. If my master has God's approval for all of his wrongdoing, how can religion be developed through good will? If God condones such appalling behavior, how can I follow such lead? Despite the hardships entailed, Frederick Douglass was surprisingly able to use his cognitive thought to effectively search for his worldly niche. He began to accumulate his own thoughts, values, goals and opinions and he began his journey towa... ... middle of paper ... ...ceed if he gives away his strategies. Given that Frederick Douglass values the community as well as himself, he did not want to ruin other slave's chances for freedom. At the point of escape, Douglass completed this dual process. Douglass, once again, uses his powerful tool of thought to survive as a "runaway" slave and to continue to lead a successful life. His experience is proof that the imperative aspects of literacy perpetuate for a lifetime. Thought and understanding are invaluable, everlasting tools that inevitably lead to success. Works Cited Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written By Himself. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997. Royer, Daniel J. "The Process of Literacy as Communal Involvement in the Narratives of Frederick Douglass." African American Review 28 (1994): 363-374

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