Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Douglass Autobiography Part 3 Blog (Quote #14)
Select a quote from Chapter 11 in the autobiography and connect it to the theme(s) of American realism: freedom, the American dream, racism, regionalism, survival, "individual vs. society," and "civilized society vs. the wilderness. Your response should be 300 words each. You are expected to respond to one classmate for as well (50-100 words).
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“I honor those good men and women for their noble daring, and applaud them for willingly subjecting themselves to bloody persecution, by openly avowing their participation in the escape of slaves.”
ReplyDeleteFrederick Douglass has immense gratitude for the men and women that were slaves during this era that contributed to the Underground Railroad and helped him and many others escape to freedom. He has much gratitude towards those who were also enslaved African Americans who kept striving under the hands of their brutal masters and mistresses. Douglass, now a former slave, openly gives thanks and his appreciation towards slaves that managed to cope with slavery. Being a slave, Douglass knows how mentally and physically they were treated and relates to the ongoing hardships they faced as African American’s during their time. Without the slaves forming the Underground Railroad, Douglass wouldn’t have escaped to freedom and he wouldn’t be where he’s at today. From the efforts of putting together the path to southern slave’s freedom, Frederick Douglass owes much respect and righteousness towards them and their duties. He didn’t convey to the reader his thorough description of how he escaped to freedom, but history shows that many slaves held in the south had fled to their freedom by the Underground Railroad. Frederick Douglass’ word choice and tone declares that he is thoughtful towards the slave’s before him who risked their lives in order to save many other African American lives from slavery. He’s thankful for all who contributed to his freedom and all who contributed generations before him into figuring out a path to liberty and justice. In honor to those who put their lives on the lines for themselves and many other slaves during an era of a corrupted intuitional society, Frederick Douglass is obligated to share in his acknowledgment of those past and present slaves. As Douglass is one with slavery, he didn't let slavery win him over in the end. He had escaped slavery and from then on prospered to new beginnings.
I like that you said that Douglass is gracious to the slaves before him who set up the Underground Railroad for slaves to escape from the south. Another thing that I liked was that you said that although he may not have escaped on the Underground Railroad because he didn't disclose how he escaped, he still feels obligated to acknowledge the courage and bravery of those that help out with the Railroad. Very well written response.
DeleteI like the quote you chose as it highlights the heroics of those that seek to help slaves escape and put themselves at risk. I agree with your point that Douglass didn't let slavery win him over, that he fought through slavery and escaped to start a new life. He fought slavery in a similar way to those on the underground railroad who fought against the injustice of slavery. Nice job!
DeleteYour quote showed how grateful Douglass was to those who helped him escape. You did a very good job on analyzing it and helped me understand this quotation better. I liked how you said Douglass is obligated to share. It described how you felt and how Douglass needed to do it for slaves that were left behind. Overall, very good support with this quote and I liked how you decided to describe it.
Delete“And upon coming to the north, I expected to meet with a rough, hard-handed, and uncultivated population, living in the most Spartan-like simplicity, knowing nothing of the easy, luxury, pomp, and grandeur of southern slaveholders. Such being my conjectures, any one acquainted with the appearance of New Bedford may readily infer how palpably I must have seen my mistake.”
ReplyDeleteIn this quote, Douglass explains his awe at how his expectations of life in the north were not met. Since slave owners in the south were so wealthy and lived and exceptionally luxurious life, he was surprised to find that life in the north was not that different from life in the south. This thoughts of this showed how detrimental slavery was to the slave’s mind. Slavery limited education in all subjects; slaves were kept from knowledge of the outer world, and many did not have the chance to ever see anything but a plantation in their whole life. This also comes with the ideas of the American Dream. Some slaves, if they were educated or moved around a lot, had different ideas of what life was like in some other places than where they mainly resided, but they still were not exposed to the cultures of different places in the world and how people lived in places other than the south. Douglass’s, and many slaves’, perceptions of the American Dream were mostly limited to gaining freedom from slaveholders, but other than that, they really had no idea what they wanted. When Douglass arrived in New Bedford, this shows how his perceptions of many things in the world were hindered. He expected that life would not be as luxurious for northerners as he observed that it was for slaveholders in the south. He was surprised to see that life in New Bedford was nicer than it was for most slave owners in the south. Douglass’s surprise shows how slavery hid truths of the world from the slaves, and the only things that they knew were of life on a plantation because that was all they had ever known and no one ever educated them. Douglass’s thoughts show how detrimental slavery really was to the human mind, as well as soul and body.
I like that you chose a quote from Douglass' life as a free slave because he went through an uphill battle of beatings and brutality that he deserves to be recognized for. You explained the life of Douglass as a free human-being very thorough and you made insightful points of how everyone is different in their own way, either by their culture or skin color. You did well on recognizing the similarities of being in a big world and Douglass' issues as he's new to being free.
Delete“I felt assured that, if i failed in this attempt, my case would be a hopeless one-it would seal my fate as a slave forever……. The wretchedness of slavery, and the blessedness of freedoms, were perpetually before me. It was life and death with me”(23).
ReplyDeleteThis quote is revealing that Frederick was giving his second and last attempt at escaping. He says that if he does not succeed this time that he is going to be a slave forever. Frederick is proving that he believes he deserves a better life and wants to be a free man. He knows what he wants for his life now that he had the experiences that he did and how he realizes how much worth he has. This quote connects to the theme of freedom and how he truly believes that that is what he deserves and that he is more than a slave. This quote also connects to the theme of how he was able to survive and learn from his enslavement. He felt that if he succeeded this time that he would have life within him, if not he knew he would die a slave. Frederick is realizing when he says this quote that the fate of his future life is all up to him and his attempt of escaping. Frederick realized that his second attempt at a new life was going to be his last attempt even if he didn’t succeed. The purpose of this quote is to show readers that he is tired of being a slave and he was going to give one last chance to start his life over. He also is explaining in this quote that he had two fates which was being a slave or being free. This passage summarizes the parts of the story that we have read because it is stating that he is giving everything he has into his last attempt to be free. He was realizing that his life was going to be free of enslaved based on his last attempt to escape his master. Frederick is the speaker of this quote and his purpose was to reflect on his life and the situation he was in. This causes readers to understand the predicament he was in and that he was willing to give anything to be free.
I like the quote that you chose because it describes what happens to Douglass in the end of the story. You described the meaning of this quote well when you said that if he succeeded he would have life within him. I thought that including Douglass’s purpose was a good idea, also.
Delete“From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren-with what success, and what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide” (27).
ReplyDeleteThis quote from Chapter 11 is the final sentence of the selection of Frederick Douglass’s story. I think this is an appropriate note to leave off on because it shows what happens to Frederick Douglass after all that he had been through throughout the course of the story. This quote helps to tie up the loose ends of the story, although Douglass does not explain specifically how he became an active abolitionist. It says that ever since he began to speak to other people about his story, he was an activist for the end of slavery. Douglass knew firsthand the horrors of what people went through that were enslaved, and they were still going through this at the time that his piece of literature what written. He became an activist for this cause because of how it affected his own life, he was in a constant struggle with becoming free or staying enslaved. Until he made it to New York City, he had never felt more free and happy. He wanted this feeling for everyone who had never experienced it before. Frederick Douglass says in this quote that he is leaving the amount of success he has had up to the people who have been affected by slavery just as he had been. The people what were going through the same trials that he went through were the ones that he was trying to help. Just like people today, Frederick Douglass stood up for what he believed in. He could be compared to Martin Luther King Jr. because they both overcame the difficulties in their own lives in order to make it better for other people who could also be struggling with the same problems. Douglass was humble about his work being an abolitionist because he did not say that he was making huge differences in peoples’ lives.
I really liked the quote that you used, I was about to do that quote too. I agree when you said the quote tied up loose end because it summarizes the ideas of the story. Your analysis of this quote was well written and I liked how you showed the contrast between his slave life and when he moved to New York.
DeleteI think this is a great quote. It really does show the feelings of Douglass and how so much had changed for him in such a great way. You picked a very broad topic but narrowed it down and made you point very well and thoroughly. You did a great job with this quote and comprehending the feelings of Douglass.
Delete"I have been frequently asked how I felt when I found myself in a free State. I have never been able to answer the question with any satisfaction to myself. It was a moment of the highest excitement I have ever experienced" (21)
ReplyDeleteWhen Douglass says this he is not talking about a connection to the American dream, he is talking about the American dream and how he became a model for that dream. He started life and was brought into slavery, like so many of the people that were brought to the United States from Africa and other countries. He was a slave for years until he had finally found a way to become free. Many slaves came to America, did they wonder why in the North African Americans could be free but in the South they were enslaved? Slaves new that the north was free and all they wanted to do was become fee and able to live the American dream, and to them people like Douglass were first hand examples of what the American dream was. It was living a life without slavery and being able to do what they wanted when they wanted without anyone else beating them and screaming at them what to do. Douglass is also sharing here the joy that he feels, he is telling the readers that he now can relax and can live life the way he wants to do it. Before, because of slavery he did not enjoy anything, he did not like his life at all and because he has arrived in New York City and is a free man he has found joy. He says that it is the best moment of his entire life and he goes on later in the paragraph trying to make connections for readers who were not slaves but he ends up saying there is no comparison. Douglass says that it is not explainable how happy he is and how important being free is to him. He is an example of someone who chased the American Dream and finally after a while found it. He became a happy and free man.
I think that your analysis of this quote is well done. I liked that you make the connection that Fredrick Douglass was the example of the American Dream with his journey from the cruel depths of slavery, to a free and lofty life. You did a good job in explaining that Fredrick Douglass truly meant that the feeling of freedom after all of his early life as a slave was incomparable to anything else.
DeleteI think that your analysis of this quote is well done. I liked that you make the connection that Fredrick Douglass was the example of the American Dream with his journey from the cruel depths of slavery, to a free and lofty life. You did a good job in explaining that Fredrick Douglass truly meant that the feeling of freedom after all of his early life as a slave was incomparable to anything else.
DeleteI liked your quote choice from chapter 11, that was from Douglass himself. I also liked how you connected it to the themes of the American dream. You did a great job on expanding the idea to a great extent. You really gave me a better understanding of this part of the story and also a new picture in my mind to think of for this part.
Delete“The paper became my meat and drink. My soul was set all on fire. Its sympathy for my brethren in bonds-its scathing denunciations of slaveholders-its faithful exposures of slavery-and its powerful attacks upon the upholders of the institution- sent a thrill of joy through my soul, such as I had never felt before” (26).
ReplyDeleteThis quote from Fredrick Douglass’ slave narrative is significant because he explains that he became very involved in the abolitionist movement after he was a free man. Douglass remarks on his deep interest into the anti-slavery magazine he subscribed to because he got a thrill of helping other slaves to freedom. Fredrick Douglass’ own journey to freedom from slavery is unknown because he does not wish to reveal how he escaped. He does not tell the reader in what way he gained his freedom so that he will not help slaveholders gain a tighter grasp on their slaves. However, he feels that it is necessary to praise the anonymous people who displayed great courage to help slaves escape to the north, despite the large risk to them if they were to be caught helping slaves escape their masters. Fredrick Douglass’ abolitionism is a way for him to help play his part in helping raise awareness about the cruelties of slavery. By supporting the newspaper, “Liberator,” he is able to indirectly aid the escape of other slaves and fight back against the institution of slavery, as he was unable to while under its power. This passage connects to the theme of freedom in Douglass’ narrative because he exhibits his feelings of joy from being a free man and an abolitionist. He also included this passage in his narrative because it uses emotive language, stirring the emotions of the reader and persuading them to join the abolitionist cause. Fredrick Douglass describes how he is filled with passion for the fight against slavery’s oppression and cruelties in this passage because he wants to convince other people that fighting slavery brings you joy. His purpose behind describing his experience with the abolitionism movement is to be persuasive, to wipe away the stigma against rejecting slavery that was commonplace in the time period.
ReplyDelete“The motto which I adopted when I started from slavery was this--”Trust no man!” I saw in every white man an enemy, and in almost every colored man a cause for distrust.” [24).
This quote is from chapter eleven and the themes that the quote suggests are freedom, survival, and individual vs. society. The theme of freedom connects with this quote because it shows how freedom is for Douglass and what the free life is actually like for him. He has to get used to being free because if he is not careful and tries to gain too much freedom he could get himself caught and become a slave again. The second theme that this quote connects to is survival because this is a survival skill that is demonstrated in the quote of watching out for all enemies and not becoming friends with too many people because you never know who could turn on you and blow your secret of being an escaped slave and turn you into the slave owner to once again become a slave. The last theme that this quote connects to is the individual vs. society because this shows how Douglass, the individual, has to figure out the society and and pick and choose his friends and enemies carefully and not be too outgoing to people about being an ex slave and escaped slave. This is a great quote for the chapter eleven because of the great themes displayed throughout the story and the chapter itself. The themes of freedom and survival are major themes in the whole story which make it connect to the story as a whole and really become connected through the quote and themes. These themes of freedom, survival and individual vs. society have a great impact in this chapter and have major parts in the general themes of the whole story. This motto of trusting no one was one of the effects of freedom for Douglass, a survival technique and showed how he faced the society.
“I say, let him be placed in this most trying situation,- the situation in which I was placed,- then, and not till then, will he fully appreciate the hardships of, and know how to sympathize with, the toil-worn and whip-scarred fugitive slave.”(24)
ReplyDeleteThis quote emphasizes just how hard life was for Douglass in his time as a slave. He says that no one can understand the severity of his situation until they are put in it too. they cannot know his hardships until they experience it themselves and know what it feels like to be a slave.
This is very true. the lives we live today are very easy in comparison to how Douglass lived. Even after reading his autobiography we still have no idea how bad life was for slaves that were living in his time. Unless we are put into similar situations we will have no idea how bad slavery really is. None of us have ever been whipped. We don’t have to work from sunup to sundown. We have never been starved. These are all things that people have to experience if they really want to know what life was like for Douglass and other slaves. They lived very hard cruel lives and most people today have no idea what living like that would be like. Slaves also could trust no one. Douglass talked about how when he made it to New York he couldn’t trust people for fear that they would kidnap him and sell him off as a slave again. Slaves were also many times separated from their family. They had no family members to be there for them, they were alone. These are all things that are hard for people like us to understand because of the ease of our lives compared to the lives of slaves. We are lucky that we don’t have to experience many of the things that Douglass did, and reading about how hard his life was can help us appreciate and be thankful for just how easy our lives really are.
ReplyDelete“The truth was, I felt myself a slave, and the idea of speaking to white people weighed me down. I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and said what I desired with considerable ease. From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading the cause of my brethren--with that success, and with what devotion I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide.”
In this quotation by Frederick Douglass, he is implying that when he went up to talk in front of the group of white people about his life as a slave, he felt like a slave again. He did not want to share with them because he did not want to be judged by them. He says that the idea of speaking to white people weighed him down. Why did it? Because the only white people he has ever been around have been superior to him. They have always told him what to do or how to live and he never looked at the as being the same level of human as he is. Douglass did not understand, at this point of the story, that these white folk’s saw him the same way they see any other person: equal. In this moment, Douglass finally realized that he would no longer be treated as a slave. He was equal to the people he was around. He understood and learned from these people that just because he was a slave before, does not mean he will be a slave his whole life. Douglass shares with the white folks how his life as a slave was and why America should put an end to slavery. He shared stories about his former slave friends and how it affected their daily lives. Douglass is finally free, and he realizes that he is able to be free without being beaten or scorned daily. Hence, all of the work that Douglass had put in as being a slave, he was finally rewarded with freedom. Although it was challenge for him in the beginning, he found a job, found a wife, and found people he had to trust in order to build himself a life as a free man.
I think that the quote you chose was very intelligent. Even though Douglass was free, in some cases he still did feel entrapped, but once he let those feelings go and he truly spoke his mind he was once again a free man. It shows the bonds that can be created where you least expect them.
Delete“I have never approved of the very public manner in which some of our western friends have conducted what they call the underground railroad, but which I think, by their open declarations, has been made most emphatically the upper-ground railroad.” (22)
ReplyDeleteAs a slave Douglass is glad to know their are people out there helping slaves from the south escape to the north. What Douglass is not happy about is how openly and publicly those people are making it. He makes a point that it really could be called the “upper-ground railroad” with how public it is. The underground railroad was not something to show off. The whole point of calling it the underground railroad was because it was a secret. White people back then might not have realized how much the underground railroad affected slaves. To them they are helping out, they wouldn’t completely understand what is going on in the south. The underground railroad for slaves was almost a life or death situation. Douglass also says after that he respects those men and women for risking their lives to help slaves, but it will not end good for anybody if it is made public that slaves are escaping. Douglass’ tone in this section seems a bit troubled, but at the same time relaxed. He doesn’t like the fact that the underground railroad is starting to become known. Douglass also knows that making a big deal about how public it has become will only make it that much more public. He thanks and respects the people that have helped with it and is simply asking for a change. The change would not only help keep slaves safe, but also all of the conductors. Frederick Douglass became a well known abolitionist after escaping from slavery. This narrative and quote were the beginning to many great things he did. Throughout this whole narrative Douglass never speaks aggressively or tries to force his ideas on someone. He always states his thoughts to inform people about what is going on, and he leaves it up to people if they want to follow it or accept it.
I really enjoyed your thoughtful quote. However, what I enjoyed the most was the way that you pointed out the Douglass paid respect to abolitionist and their aid. My favorite example of this is seen when you talk about what he said about the underground railroad. The last thing I enjoyed was your connection that you made for the end of the book as well.
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ReplyDeleteQuote 14#: “...never felt happier than when in an anti-slavery meeting. I seldom had much to say at the meetings, because what I wanted to say was said so much better by others.”
This quote connects to the themes of American realism: freedom, the American dream, racism, regionalism, survival, "individual vs. society," and "civilized society vs. the wilderness. The first way that this quote does this can be seen in the way that it connects to the theme of freedom. This quote connects to freedom in the way that Douglass expresses his right to assembly when he goes to the anti-slavery meetings. This theme can also be seen in the way that he eventually sums up the courage to speak. The next theme that can be seen in this quote is the American dream. The American dream can be see in the way that Douglass goes to the meetings. This represents him following his dream of ending slavery, and in turn represents the american dream which is to follow your dreams. The next theme in this quote is racism. This is most clearly seen in the way that Douglass is afraid to speak this shows racism in the way that it has instilled a fear of speaking the white people. Moreover, Douglass being afraid shows the way that racism has affected him. The next theme that can be seen in this quote is regionalism. Regionalism is seen in the way that Douglass can attend this meeting. This idea shows regionalism though the way the the north supported anti-slavery; this allowed Douglass to go to these meetings. The next theme that can be seen here is survival. Survival can be clearly viewed in this quote in the way that Douglass goes to these meetings. He does this because he is trying to hold on to his own rights as well as gain more. The second to last theme that can be seen in this quote is “individual vs. society”. This can be viewed through Douglass internal struggle to overcome his fear of speaking to white people. This shows the way that he is both going against society norms and expressing himself and his ideas.The last connection that can be seen is “civilized society vs. the wilderness”. This theme can be seen in the way that Douglass decides to go to the meetings. This shows the way that he combating a wild and racist society by attending these meetings.
I like your quote selection. The quote you chose is vital to the story and it sets up the rest of Douglass' life. You also connected many themes to the quote and you supported them with detail. Great analysis.
Delete“But I remained firm, and, according to my resolution, on the third day of September, 1838, I left my chains, and succeeded in reaching New York without the slightest interruption of any kind. How I did so,— what means I adopted,—what direction I travelled, and by what mode of conveyance,—I must leave unexplained, for the reasons before mentioned. “
ReplyDeleteThis quote relates to the themes of freedom, survival, and individual against society. This quote can relate to freedom because freedom is finally achieved for Douglass. He finally is able to escape slavery and become a new man. He is reborn into a different life, a life of freedom. He is able to achieve what he has dreamed for such a long time. He really is committed to achieving his goal of freedom and he is able to achieve it. He does not reveal exactly the means of his escape so other fugitive slaves may do the same things as him. If he were to reveal the means the white authorities would discover it and stop that way to freedom. The quote also shows the theme of survival because Douglass was able to withstand slavery long enough to find his way to freedom. He survived slavery. He was also able to survive throughout his escape as well. Some slaves were not able to survive their escape attempts. Douglass was one of the lucky ones that was able to survive. Survival is an important part because it is necessary for Douglass’ dream to continue on, his dream of freedom. You obviously need to be alive to become free. This quote can also be connected to individual against society because Douglass was going against the norm of society and showed achieving want you want requires individualism. He went against what was to be expected of him from society. They expected him to stay a slave. He decided to escape. Overall, Douglass’ dream is succeeded in this quote, his dream of freedom. The quote itself contains the themes of, freedom, survival, and individual against society. This quote is very important to the narrative because it shows that the main goal of the narrative is reached.
I thought that the quote you selected was an excellent choice and the analysis was thought out and well done. The way that you connect the themes to the quote was exceptional and I probably couldn't have done it better myself. You did a really awesome job all around on this quote and analysis.
Delete“The paper came, and I read it from week to week with such feelings as it would be quite idle for me to attempt to describe. The paper became my meat and my drink. My soul was set all on fire. Its sympathy for my brethren in bonds—its scathing denunciations of slaveholders—its faithful exposures of slavery—and its powerful attacks upon the upholders of the institution—sent a thrill of joy through my soul, such as I had never felt before!”
ReplyDeleteIn this quote, it connects to the themes of freedom, the American Dream, and also racism. With racism, this is the least appearant of the three because it isn’t right out there. It needs a bit more context to really be shown. With the context, it explains that the paper that Douglass was reading and that was his “meat and drink” was about anti slavery. Since slavery during that time was filled with racism, he was basically supporting the anti slavery and also anti racism movements. For the next theme, the American Dream, this one is quite apparent. He started from the lowest of the low, as a slave with basically nothing to his name, and made himself an established part of society. Evidence towards this is when he couldn’t afford to purchase the paper, but as he had worked himself up the ladder in society by working very hard in his new place of residence after escaping, he was able to purchase the paper, which symbolized him overcoming slavery. Lastly is the theme of freedom. This theme is very self explanatory in this quote because it is what the quote is basically all about. It talks about how he had sympathy for his brethren in bonds because he was able to escape, unlike a vast majority of other slaves. He had received the freedom that he had always wanted and longed for since he was very young, and was overjoyed with it, but was still saddened, as said in the quote, about how others had to suffer. All in all, this quote fits in very well with the themes of freedom, the American Dream, and racism quite well, but it also fits in with the chapter, and also the writing as a whole because it is basically what the writing is all about.
Your analysis was well thought out and connected the ideas well. I like how you began with discussing freedom and said how it is not just blatantly said in the quote, but you have to look deeper into the context. You started with discussing the most difficult theme to understand and worked your way towards the easiest which was done in a way that is flowed well and was helpful for me. I also liked that you restated you thesis as the conclusion as well.
Delete“The [Liberator] paper became my meat and my drink. My soul was set all on fire. Its sympathy for my brethren in bonds—its scathing denunciations of slaveholders—its faithful exposures of slavery—and its powerful attacks upon the upholders of the institution—sent a thrill of joy through my soul, such as I had never felt before!”
ReplyDeleteThis quote relates to the idea of regionalism and freedom. Regionalism quickly shown in this quote because of how the paper shows it’s reader how horrible slaveholding really is, people in the south would never get away with publishing something that made slavery look bad in any way. In the south slavery is a way of life, but in the north slavery is nothing, but a truly cruel evil that they wish to get rid of as soon as possible. It’s holding other humans hostage and treating them like they are inferior which if you take a second and step back there’s not much of a difference between us and them. Freedom is also shown in this quote because it shows Douglass spirit being reborn and liberated from oppression, able to see the truth once again. Able to see what he was fighting for and why he left in the first place, but above all what he got away from. This gave him the drive not only stand up to slavery, but to be one of the frontrunners in the battle against it. Freedom let him recuperate and truly reminded him who he was. The paper also showed how sad it is that these people are being held captive and just pressing with reasons why this travesty should not still be going on. This paper was able to humanize the slaves, something that no matter how hard you tried could never be a concept that would sink through a slave owners head. This paper proved to Douglass that there is hope that someday all races could stand together as one without any hate towards each other. The paper was really what gave Douglass his hope back after everything he went through, it was his “meat” and his “drink”.
“The truth was, I felt myself a slave, and the idea of speaking to white people weighed me down. I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and said what I desired with considerable ease.”
ReplyDeleteWith what Frederick Douglass is speaking about in this selection, connects to the ideas of freedom and regionalism. Freedom is shown through the fact that at last Douglass was able to accomplish his ultimate goal and was now had the opportunity to speak about his journey and how he got to where he was now. It even mentions in the quote, “I felt a degree of freedom”. This shows that although he was nervous to be speaking in front of a group of white people, he then remembered that he had made it. He accomplished the freedom that he had been working for since the early years of his life. That thought alone helped ease his nerves and ultimately helped him to become a speaker and role model in the north for freed slaves. What Douglass also expresses in this quote is how the feeling of freedom is still so fresh and new to him and overall feels so surreal. Speaking in front of a bunch of white people makes him nervous, however, then he remembers that he is able to do that now because he is free. Regionalism is shown through what Douglass says in this quote through the fact that he is indeed speaking in front of a bunch of white people about his experience as a slave. Douglass had only ever lived in the south and he had grown up his whole life thinking that all white people are the bad guys. It was not until he moved to the north where he discovered that there were white people who were on his side and wanted to help the slaves. This shows the drastic difference between the north and south and how just the fact that the location was what affected move of those people’s views on it.
This is a wonderful quote choice. I like how you chose a quote that directly speaks of how Douglass is feeling. Your quote analysis is very well written and you thoroughly explained how the quote relates to the themes. I also like that you used a part of the quote in your analysis, it supported your statement well.
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ReplyDelete“He extorted me to content myself, and be obedient. He told me if I would be happy, I must lay out no plans for the future”(22)
This quote is from when Douglass is asking Master Thomas if he will allow him to hire out his time. Master Thomas does not allow him to as he suspects that this is another way for Douglass to try to escape. Master Thomas warns Douglass that if he is planning to escape he will not spare any pains in order to catch him. He then continues to tell Douglass that he should just behave himself and do as he is told. Master Thomas tells Douglass that in order for him to be happy he should not make any plans for the future. This quote connects to the theme of freedom. Master Thomas is basically trying to force Douglass to think like a slave and to just be happy being a slave. Master Thomas is trying to prevent Douglass from escaping by attempting to take away his freedom to think. Douglass is an educated man though and knows better than to let his master tell him how he should think. This quote also relates to the theme of individual vs. society. All of Douglass’ masters have tried to keep him from gaining freedom by trying to prevent him from learning and thinking for himself. So far Douglas has accomplished his goal of becoming educated despite his Masters trying to stop him. All of his masters and other slaveholders know that when a slave becomes educated he begins to think for himself and question why he is treated this way. Here Master Thomas is trying to reverse the effects of or stop the further development of Douglass’ knowledge.
I liked how you connected the quote to the themes of freedom and individual vs. society in American realism. This explanation of the two themes allows the readers of this analysis to become more aware and informed of the quote and the hardships that Frederick Douglass faced.
Delete“He received all the benefits of slaveholding without its evils; while I endured all the evils of a slave, and suffered all the care and anxiety of a freeman. I found it a hard bargain. But, hard as it was, I thought it better than the old mode of getting along. It was a step towards freedom to be allowed to bear the responsibilities of a freeman, and I was determined to hold on upon it. I bent myself to the work of making money. I was ready to work at night as well as day, and by the most untiring perseverance and industry, I made enough to meet my expenses, and lay up a little money every week.”
ReplyDeleteThis quote from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass shows how strong of an urge Frederick Douglass had to be free, and that he was willing to do nearly anything while he was free to maintain a free lifestyle. This connects with freedom in American realism because Frederick Douglass becomes a free man. In chapter eleven, it is told that Frederick Douglass becomes free, but it is not revealed how he becomes free because slavery was still prominent and legal in the United States of America during the time that he released his autobiography. Frederick Douglass begins to work for some white employers, and this quote shows his experience with one of the men. Frederick Douglass explains how even though he was considered a free man, he did not feel as if he was one. Since the white man did not have to employ Frederick Douglass, he used that to his advantage. By saying his advantage, it means that he is using Frederick Douglass as an employee, but he is underpaying Frederick Douglass, and the person who is allowing Frederick Douglass to live with them is receiving benefits from the majority of Frederick Douglass’s wages. Frederick Douglass had such a strong desire to be free that he was willing to endure as much stress as it took. Frederick Douglass most likely did not enjoy the high anxiety that came with being a free man, but he must have believed that it was better than being a slave. This reasoning is due to the fact that Frederick Douglass did not return to slavery, instead, he endured the anxiety and stress of being a free man while basically being enslaved by his employer.
"I have been frequently asked how I felt when I found myself in a free State. I have never been able to answer the question with any satisfaction to myself. It was a moment of the highest excitement I ever experienced. I suppose I felt as one may imagine the unarmed mariner to feel when he is rescued by a friendly man-of-war from the pursuit of a pirate. In writing to a dear friend, immediately after my arrival at New York, I said I felt like one who had escaped a den of hungry lions."
ReplyDeleteIn this passage, Douglass is revealing to the reader his thoughts and emotions after it being revealed to him that he was at last a freed man. He describes this moment as one which people have asked him to recall many times in his life; the moment he achieved freedom. Although Douglass achieved freedom from slavery, he goes on to say how he feels the clutched of slavery still grasping at his mental state, as he continues to feel as if he had never been freed in the first place. This part of the story relates to the mental effects of slavery and how slavery harbored racism in the minds of americans whom even after slavery was abolished, still had the mental state that comes along with living in a time where racism is a completely okay thing. However the feelings of ecstasy which Douglass felt as soon as he found himself freed is immeasurable, he had finally found his freedom, he had survived slavery when he had found so many doubts within himself. In this portion of the narrative, Douglass gets half way into achieving his American Dream, his dream to be freed and to be independent as any man should be. Most people flock to American to become freed of their binds which hold them back in other countries, for Douglass however, his binds are in America, in the southern region. His arrival to the northern states opened up an entirely new world for him and secured his future as an activist for the rights of African Americans.