Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

Words: 1205
Pages: 5
Open Document
Throughout the time in which slavery was prominent in America, the life of a slave is one in which most people today could never fathom. Stripped of their rights, values, and sense of identity, African American slaves often experienced unthinkable acts of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Frederick Douglass speaks about such horrors of his own personal experience as a slave in antebellum America throughout his work Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. During both the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many often believed that the majority of slaves lived their life on plantations. However, in reality, only about one half of the slaves during this time lived their lives on plantations. The remaining individuals …show more content…
Upon arrival to America on crowded, unsanitary ships, Africans were cleaned and shaved, often being oiled as well to make themselves appear healthier and more profitable for their seller. Once sold, individuals were stripped of their identity and given new names, while most were separated from their families. Many endured training periods in which they were instructed to become subservient to their owner and obey any commands they were given. For slaves living on plantations, life was much more grueling than it was in cities and on small farms. As Frederick Douglass described it, “A city slave is almost a freeman, compared with a slave on the plantation. He is much better fed and clothed, and enjoys privileges altogether unknown to the slave on the plantation” (Douglass 34). Despite where slaves were placed, living conditions and treatment were both inhumane and unsafe. For most slaves, work lasted from sunrise until sunset, no matter what age the individual was. Diet supplied by slave owners …show more content…
Many were provided with a yearly bundle of clothing consisting of “two coarse linen shirts, one pair of linen trousers, like the shirts, and one jacket one pair of trousers … the whole of which could not have cost more than seven dollars” (Douglass 10). With no replacement of clothing until the next allowance year, many often were forced to complete their work naked until slaveholders allocated them new clothing for the next year. Regardless of gender, children were often victims of such abuses, no matter what season of the year it
Show More

Related Documents: Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

19th-century Author and orator Frederick Douglass became an eminent human rights leader in the anti-slavery movement and the primary African-American citizen to keep a high U.S. government rank. Abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass born into slavery around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. He became one of the most well famous intellectuals of his time, advising presidents and lecturing to thousands on a range of reasons, such as ladies’ rights and Irish home rule amongst Douglass’ writings are numerous…

Words 311 - Pages 2

Frederick Douglass An American Slave Analysis

In the autobiography, “Narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglass, An American Slave,” Fredrick Douglass speaks of different trials and tribulations he went through as a child to his current point in time as a man. He witnessed horrible things as a child and experienced heartbreak of the highest tear. He didn’t know his mother very well, he would only see her before bed when she put him to sleep. She worked so hard all day every day, and that was the only time she could have with him. That alone…

Words 188 - Pages 1

African American Education Vs Formal Education

frowned upon. Education was a curse for African Americans when slavery existed. In the book Fredrick Douglass wrote and published, “Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass”, he talks about how life is growing up as a young African American boy during slavery. The reason why African Americans were bought to the United States was because European settlers used African Americans because they were cheaper and more useful labor source. African Americans were never taught…

Words 985 - Pages 4

Great EXpectations Essay

Slavery is one of the greatest injustices against humans in American history. Frederick Douglass, an American slave born around 1817 in Tuckahoe, Maryland, suffered the cruel and inhuman effects of slavery.Throughout The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass details his life as a slave from his earliest memories, some of which include his corrupted masters and horrific living conditions, through his successful escape to New York and settlement in Bedford, Massachusetts. Within his narrative…

Words 5147 - Pages 21

Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

the Americas, Frederick Douglass and the African slaves show their desires for freedom to the whole world. The War of 1812 serves as the catalyst for anti-slavery movements. The Americas were in chaos during the war when African slaves fought on both British and American sides; also, the British burned down the Capitol in Washington DC. Abolitionists such as Nat Turner became more vocal and lead rebellions that eventually ended with over fifty seven whites dead. Frederick Douglass wrote “What to…

Words 869 - Pages 4

Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And Rosa Parks

Revision of Frederick Douglass Essay Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks were both very influential in shaping America. Rosa Parks was an African American lady who refused to give up her seat on the bus. Frederick Douglass was an African American slave who fought for the freedom of slaves. Although, Rosa Parks helped start the end of segregation, Frederick Douglass knew the value of education and knowledge, he also was bought by many different owner and experienced many different things, and he believed…

Words 903 - Pages 4

Frederick Douglass Essay examples

Frederick Douglass was an African American slave who dreamt all his life of being a freeman. Not only was he a slave, but he was very involved in his religious life of Christianity. Regardless of his hardships he went through, Douglass always had hope and believed that one day God would set him free. This kind of optimism was thought highly of amongst the other slaves who had little to no hope of freedom whatsoever. These slaves lived in a society in which land was only free to the whites, and the…

Words 1100 - Pages 5

Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass Essay

Frederick Douglass grew up as a black man and an American slave. Since his skin was a different color, he was treated differently than other people. He was forced into slavery and did not get the same experiences as everyone else. The two articles, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” and “My Friend Douglass”, both demonstrate how differently Douglass was treated and how he dealt with slavery. The first article describes Douglass in his childhood while the second article…

Words 713 - Pages 3

Frederick Douglass: The Meaning Of July Fourth For The Negro

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS AFTER ESCAPING SLAVERY Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave that learned how to read and write, and Abraham Lincoln referred to him as the most meritorious man of the nineteenth century. Douglass is an amazing author, abolitionist, human rights and women's rights activist, orator, author, journalist, publisher, and social reformer writing two autobiographies, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and My Bondage and My Freedom…

Words 301 - Pages 2

Narrative of Frederick Douglas Essay

Narrative of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, by Frederick Douglass Like many slaves, it is unsure about Frederick Douglass’s exact birthdate. “By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant. I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday (Douglass, 1).” This was one of the ways that the slave owners mentally suppressed their slaves. Frederick…

Words 1299 - Pages 6