Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass - Essay Example

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the seminal accounts of the 19th century slaveexperience. The narrative itself is the real-to-life recollection of the experience Frederick Douglass had as a slave. Today this narrative is recognized as a canonical piece of literature and essential to 19th century abolitionist movements. This essay examines the conclusion of Douglass’ narrative in terms of the important feelings that are expressed in chapter X and XI of the text, as they demonstrate pivotal transformations in Douglass’ character and perspective.

One of the most pervasive feelings Douglass expresses is the utter lack of hope and meaning in the face of horrid life experiences. In chapter 10, Douglass experiences terrible conditions when living with Mr. Covey. Because Douglass is inexperienced as a field hand he goes through physical abuse at the hands of Mr. Covey that leads him to express his feelings. Douglass states, “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, p. 105). This is a highly pivotal expression of feelings not merely to the chapter, but to the entire text as it demonstrates the mental and emotional transformation that Douglass has undergone through this experience. It is notable in that it demonstrates that slavery did not simply exploit disenfranchised individuals, but systematically worked to break down and destroy their sense of self and will. As Douglass experiences tremendous horrors in chapter 10, he ultimately resolves to escape.

The process of Douglass escape is detailed in chapter 11. Douglass’ thoughts in this chapter are essential as they detail the stringent resolution he faces when confronting the challenges of escape. Douglass goes as far as to deride the Underground Railroad as being a short-term alternative that strengthens slave owners’ resolves. In a seminal quote Douglass expresses his feeling, “The wretchedness of slavery, and the blessedness of freedom were perpetually before me. It was life and death with me” (Douglass, pg. 122). This is a pivotal statement as it reveals the profound change Douglass has experienced throughout the narrative.

Douglass has gone from an individual that has attempted to survive the abhorrent conditions of slavery to one that recognizes his freedom is his only choice. Ultimately, this is a powerful statement on the nature of slavery as not simply being about forced labor, but about the theft of the very soul and life of these individuals. In conclusion, this essay has examined the feelings expressed by Frederick Douglass in the concluding chapters of his narrative. The essay has argued that these are pivotal feelings as they express the transformation he has undergone through his experience in slavery.

Ultimately, the textual examples are a powerful and profound account of the horrors of the America slave experience. ReferencesDouglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, Written by Himself . Bedford, 2002.