The Freedom Issue in English Literature - Essay Example

English literature The society is composed of people from all diversities with different opinions, and for one to survive, as an individual assertive decision-making is significant. The capacity to exercise freedom is often limited by many factors in the environment. Culture, politics, religion influence one’s personality largely in their lives. Agency enhances one’s ability in choosing their actions while freedom gives an individual the will to perform certain actions. It is essential as people work for their achievement better than when their lives are controlled. Lack of freedom has a negative influence on the growth and development of a country. It widens the gap in social relations among people as hatred and separation prevail. There are people who cannot make personal decisions, and they rely on the public’s opinion. However, there are people who have overcome all odds in the community to attain their goals. They have endured tough times to bring change to their society, and this is a unique character. Freedom and agency are key aspects that contribute in growth and development (Pettit, 56). Ouladah Equino portrays admirable virtues that enhance his survival in a cruel environment that hinders him from attaining his goals. His early life was extremely challenging having been kidnapped as a slave. When a child grows away from his parents, life is complicated and challenging, but Equino managed the trauma. As a slave, he encountered many problems from those holding him captive. In the process, he learned that not all people have kind hearts and endurance is essential for individuals to accomplish their goals. The cruelty he received from his employer depicts a clear picture of the suffering slaves undergo. His good character earned him favors, and he sent to school where he acquired skills and knowledge vital for prosperity. However, his liberty was in the hands of his boss who denied him the right to leave the army. This shows the pain and suffering that individuals encounter while they remain in captive. Eventually, he was freed, and he used his education to enlighten the people on slavery. He joined movements that aimed at bringing change to the society. His experiences helped him in creating excellent imagery in the narratives. The use of symbols connected the readers to his life and vowed to change their lifestyle. In addition, the reading campaigned against slavery in Great Britain and the oppression of black people in the region. He played the leading role of an abolitionist and fought for the plight of Africans. Further, he resettles the poor blacks living in London, but his outspoken character facilitates the loss of the position held. He openly speaks against the mismanagement in finances by the company. However, this character enables him in getting opportunities and in return presents the rights of Blacks in London. He pushes for the offering of equal chances in various sector of the economy. Among his agendas was the extension of voting rights to the workers, and this would enable them choose leaders who understood their problems. His desire for freedom initiated many of the projects he worked to represent Africans (Equiano, 98). The narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas depicts his encounters in life that molded him into a successful reformist. From his childhood, his freedom was denied as he was born in slavery. His parents were slaves and that undoubtfully made him a slave. His parents work at farm plantation where the workers are mistreated and overworked. Their rights to their basic needs such as food and proper shelter are limited. In addition, there is the administration of physical torture to those who oppose the rules. Killings of the people are common in the plantation as the blacks are ignored and their lives referred to as worthless. However, as a child he experiences little of the torture that others encounter in the plantation. Initially, he receives kind treatment from the family that buys him and gets minimal education. Later, the situation changes and he is treated harshly like all other slaves. With the help of the local boys, Douglass studies and discovers the oppression his people endure. Courageously, he decides to escape from slavery and join movements that fight for the rights of slaves. However, this is hindered by his new employer who punish mercilessly oppress him. This makes him a different person who he is not interested in the fight for his freedom. It is his revenge against his employer that revives his fighting spirit. This begins his free life, and he educates other slaves on their rights. During his working time at the ship, the white workers intimidate him. This depicts the extent to which whites overlook the blacks. They deny them their right, which is against the law, but they are helpless and perseveres the oppression. Eventually, he escapes and gets involved in the abolition movement in New York. He spoke to the slaves encouraging them through his painful experiences. He was a good example for them to follow and this way slavery would be abolished. All who listened to his speeches admired his eloquence and intelligence. Despite the immense opposition he received, he kept on telling the truth of his encounters as a slave. His fame grew to a substantial extent as far as in British and the United states. Additionally, he focusses on the rights of women and indulges in politics with the sole goal of bringing change to the community (Douglass, 78). The Unforgivable Blackness focuses on the plight of Blacks in America. It analyzes their freedom limitation and the exaltation of a few black individuals in favor of others in the community. The fame and strength of Jack Johnson is mainly demonstrated at a time when the blacks were oppressed. His rise to enormous glory is depicted as a weird turn of events. His parents were ex-slaves yet this did not limit him from accomplishing his dreams. He out stood all Blacks in America because of his multi-talented character. His excellent performance in sports enabled him to acquire many crowns in Washington. From an early age, he had a tolerant attitude that enabled him to emerge a winner in many fields. He ignored the insults he got from the crowd, and this helped him overcome the oppression blacks received from the whites. He led movements that fought for the rights of Blacks and spoke of the importance of their freedom. He openly criticized the government for poor leadership that limited the freedom of certain races. Further, his success demonstrated that blacks have the ability to prosper and achieve goals in their lives. This changed the negative views of them as a cursed race and respect towards them emerged. In addition, Johnson spoke on behalf of them and enlightened them against slavery. He fought for equal opportunities for all people and their freedom to access public facilities. It is evident that the freedom of the blacks was limited, and they were oppressed as a weak race. Importantly, freedom facilitates self-knowledge, which is vital for civil liberty. Therefore, democracy is vital towards the excellence of a society. Granting people the freedom to explore various experiences creates a sense of identity (Ward, 87). Works cited Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Radford, Va: Wilder Publications, 2008. Print. Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or, Gustavus Vassa, the African. Radford, VA: Wilder Publications, 2008. Print. Pettit, Philip. A Theory of Freedom: From the Psychology to the Politics of Agency. Oxford [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press, 2001. Print. Ward, Geoffrey C. Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson. London: Pimlico, 2006. Print. Read More