FREDERICK DOUGLASS, NARRATIVE from chapter 1 to chapter 6 - Book Report/Review Example

Download file to see previous pages... Frederick begins chapter two by describing his first master’s family and gives a description of life for the two years he spent as a slave in Captain Anthony’s firm. He narrates how slaves were denied basic human rights and describes the deplorable conditions they lived in. According to Douglass, some slaves who demonstrated trustworthiness and commitment were given slightly better jobs and slightly better living conditions and allowances. Frederick describes the barbarity and cruelty shown by some of these slaves, called overseers, to other slaves. Towards the end of chapter two Douglass describes mixed feelings and reactions that engulfed the plantations on payday. Slaves sang to console themselves and drown the unhappiness that existed deep within their hearts.
In chapter three, Frederick narrates his master’s cruelty to the slaves over small mistakes or lack of them. He begins by describing Colonel Lloyd’s riches and how they earned the slaves inhumane treatment. Methods used by the master to maintain control of his large number of slaves, such as use of tar and spies, created fear among the slave. Examples are the two slaves, old Barney and his son, who were responsible for the master’s horses, lived in fear as they did not know which action would attract punishment. Fear of punishment made slaves keep the truth about their suffering to themselves. Fear created loyalty as some slaves would quarrel and fight over whose master was better.
Douglass, while still a slave at Colonel Lloyd’s plantation, gives a detailed narration of some of the cruel deeds he witnessed. Chapter four is a narration of events after Mr. Hopkins had left Lloyd’s plantation and replaced by Mr. Austin Gore. Frederick begins by drawing a contrast between these two overseers and then later uses Mr. Gore as an image of cruelty. Mr. Gore is described as cruel, obdurate and artful in his inhumane acts. He was gravely feared and his sight would ...Download file to see next pagesRead More