The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

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During the 18th and 19th century slavery became a thriving concept in the United States, especially in the south due to the rapid expansion of the cotton industry. Many stories told through the grapevines that have all impacted those who listen to the trials and tribulations these slaves took on during this time in the United States. However there are certain individuals who have the ability to give you a perspective of slavery that some could not achieve. Frederick Douglass, a well knowledgeable freed African American gives the insight to slavery in his own narrative. In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick reveals the truths behind slaves’ lives, the culture of slavery, as well as the psychological struggles these American slaves endured during this time period. Unlike the majority of colonist who fled to the new nation to escape issues in their former home, slaves’ were instituted into the trans Atlantic slave trade. From there, this is where slaves’ lives began to develop. When the Trans Atlantic slave trade began, numerous slaves were shipped into the Americas when the Portuguese search for gold fell short, they resulted in a much more plentiful commodity. A commodity of Humans developed to benefit the expanding of the European empire and their need for a work force. With the original inhabitants slowly dying off to disease, the desire shifted towards the African Americans since they expressed hard working characteristics, as well as resistant to certain diseases and capable of withstanding the long and exhausting work days in the heat of the south. From there the potential of slave lives would not develop much. As Frederick Douglass describes his experiences with a past master, it helps get a sense of ... ... middle of paper ... ...would encounter numerous trails and tribulations that would affect their ancestors for years to come. As some stories show these jobs as slaves proposed to be very difficult. Some miracles occurred for individuals like Frederick Douglass who gained their freedom and evolved into an incredibly powerful individual that could read, write, and speak about all of the troubles as a slave. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass shows us that there are many stories to be told behind slavery that played a drastic role in the lives of slaves, the culture of slavery as well as the psychological struggles. Works Cited Frederick, Douglass. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Written by Himself. 2nd ed. [S.l.]: Filiquarian Pub., 2007. Print. Hellie, Richard. "Slavery." Britannica.com. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 5 Dec. 2013.

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