Fredrick Douglass: Paving the way to a Brighter Tomorrow

Chapters 1-5 in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass share a powerful first-hand account of the abuses and injustices that African Americans who were held as slaves in the United States in the 19th century had to endure. Douglass inspired people to take action and push for change by expressing his thoughts via various literary techniques and the challenges he faced. Douglass uses diction to persuade his readers to become active abolitionists by using many words with extremely negative connotations. He did this to paint a picture in the reader’s mind of the brutalities and harsh reality faced by those in slavery. In the narrative it states, “From the rising till the going down of the sun, he was cursing, raving, cutting, and slashing among the slaves of the field, in the most frightful manner” (59). This explains the cruel actions of a severe overseer. Douglass also uses word order to draw readers in, as it affects the meaning of a sentence. He states, “Death soon ended what little we could have while she lived, and with it her hardships and suffering” (57). The word order in this sentence shows that death ended the suffering of the mother, but it also stopped any chance for things to get better for her while she was alive. It shows how tough her life was and how death was the only way out of her struggles. Douglass also utilizes a lot of symbolism throughout these few chapters. The plantation symbolizes how slave owners have total control over enslaved people. They are forced to work hard, get hurt, and suffer mentally, showing how unfair slavery is. The tough conditions on the plantation make it clear how little freedom slaves had. This narrative relates to the class theme of “What does success look like?” because it serves as a reminder that success involves more than just one's own achievements, it also involves providing a meaningful and long-lasting contribution to society. Douglass's legacy serves as a light of hope and inspiration for everyone who aspires to change the world by motivating future generations to carry on the fight for justice and equality.