Pre AP English 1 Period 5
October 8, 2014
Mrs. Wiersig
Frederick Douglass: A Man Against Trying Times
In the autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass presents the story of his life through a series of chronological experiences. Douglass documents his birth into slavery which results in him having numerous physical and emotional hardships throughout his life. Though Douglass faces being illiterate, being abused by Mr. Covey, and being in the bonds of slavery, he uses the scarce resources around him, his bare hands, and his cleverness to change his life and become a man.
One of the first obstacles Douglass faces is learning to read and write, which he achieves through using his limited resources. After realizing that the white man’s power results from the colored man’s illiteracy, Douglass sets out to change his status by following a plan he devises to make, ”friends of all the little white boys whom [he] met in the street. As many of these as [he] could, [he] converted into teachers,” (52). Douglass contradicts society’s standard rule that slaves should not know how to read and takes every opportunity that presents itself to gain more knowledge. His writing comes with less opportunity to learn and takes more practice, but my regularly visiting the shipyard he, “soon learned the names of these letters, and for what they were intended when placed upon a piece of timber in the shipyard. [He] immediately commence copying them, and in short time, was able to make the four letters named,” (57). Douglass once again uses an unlikely resource to help toward his goal of becoming literate. Once he learns to read, his goals shift to focus on writing. To become more fluent in his writing, while his mistress is gone “[he] used to spend the time writing in the spaces left in Master Thomas’s copy book, copying what he had written. [He] continued to do this until [he] could wrote a hand very similar to that of Master Thomas,” (57). Douglass time-manages so well, using every opportunity he has to practice, that he succeeds in becoming fluent in his writing. Therefore, through various technique including trickery, bribery, and secretism, Frederick Douglass achieves literacy,the key to his future freedom.
Another major conflict Douglass encounters is being abused by Mr. Covey, a known “negro-breaker” he is sent to for correcting. Douglass handles his mistreatment by establishing himself as a man. Not long after Douglass comes to stay with Covey he must begin to assert his place in the world due to Covey’s belief that slaves are no higher than brutes. Covey’ unrealistic expectations of Douglass are not met, but when he orders Douglass to prepare himself to be whipped, Douglass “made no answer, but stood with [his] clothes on. [Covey] repeated his order. [Douglass] still made him no answer, nor did [he] move to strip [himself],” (71). Douglass defies Covey’s orders and this represents his disrespect for Covey, establishing him as his equal. Though they are truly equals, Douglass must still do as Covey says, as he is in charge. When Douglass is ill from working in the sun all day, he sits down, infuriating Covey who,” took up the hickory slat …and with it gave [Douglass] a heavy blow upon the head…and with this again told [him] to get up. [He] made no effort to comply, having made up [his] mind to let [Covey] do his worst,” (77). Douglass is not scared of what Covey may do to him and at this point does not see him as a threat. He now has all he needs to stand up to him, and the next time Covey moves to whip him and “seemed now to think he had [Douglass] and could do what he pleased…at this moment-from whence came the spirit [he doesn’t] know-[Douglass] resolved to fight….The while six months afterward… [Covey] never laid [his] finger upon him in anger,”(81-82). By standing up to Mr. Covey as his equal, Douglass transforms from a brute to a man! Perhaps unknown to himself, he overcomes Covey by first seeing him as his equal, seeing him as no threat, and finally physically overpowering him, putting Douglass and Covey at a mentally and physically equal standpoint, simultaneously gaining Covey’s respect.
Due to confronting adversity and taking risks, Douglass has what he needs to become a free man: courage and intellect. He begins to make plans to run away and escape to New York. As soon as he has deterred Master Hugh Auld’s suspicion of his plan to run away, he puts his plan into action. Once he has emotionally and physically prepared himself, he sets out and “on the third day of September, 1838…[he] succeeded in reaching New York…. How [he] did so…[he] must leave unexplained…,”(112). Douglass, after depicting his sorrowful life, gratifies the reader’s desire for justice by accomplishing his goals and changing his own life. Now that he is a free man, he may do what he wishes, including marrying the woman he loves, Anna. They are married by a Rev. J. W. C. Pennington ij the presence of Mr. David Ruggles and Mrs. Michaels and “upon receiving this certificate, and a five-dollar bill from Mr. Ruggles, [husband and wife] set out forthwith to take passage on [a] steamboat for Newport, on [their]》way to New Bedford,” (115). Douglass contrasts his current situation to his previous life, transforming the mood of the story from dreary and depressing to hopeful by creating a picture of happiness. With this newfound ray of hope, Douglass embarks on a journey, willing to do whatever it takes to earn his keep, even if that means finding,” new, dirty, and hard work for [him]; but [he] went at it with a glad heart and a willing hand. [Douglass] was now [his] own master,” (119). Douglass characterizes representation of his willingness to be a man. He proves that through planning, teamwork, and hard work, his goals are reachable and his conflicts resolved.
As a slave, Douglass faces many conflicts including ignorance, abuse, and slavery itself. By taking action, Douglass overcomes his problems and changes into a man: brilliant, brave, and free.