History In Douglasss Memoir - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 716 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/05/29 Category Literature Essay Level High school Topics: Frederick Douglass Essay Did you like this example? In the memoir, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, by Frederick Douglass, Douglass uses historical information in the memoir. Douglass proves that his intended audience for the memoir are readers who have not experienced what it is like to live the life of a slave. Douglass also intends to have previous and current slaves become the audience of the memoir. Douglass uses the subject of civil and political rights for the memoir. First, Douglass presents historical information in his memoir. Douglass does this by including specific names, places, and events of what has occured in his life. He is able to describe the grueling and difficult life of slaves through his and others experiences. He then said to her, ?Now, you dd bh, Ill learn you how to disobey my orders! and after rolling up his sleeves, he commenced to lay on the heavy cowskin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heartrending shrieks from her, and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor (Douglass, 21). This quote shows the treatment that Douglassrs aunt and many other slaves had to endure. Douglass gives specific names of places, people, and actions hers encountered throughout his life. Also, Douglass includes other examples of slave cruelty, such as a man being shot and many other cruel whippings. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "History In Douglasss Memoir" essay for you Create order Second, Douglass confirms that the intended audience for the memoir are those who have not gone through what slaves have. Douglass also intends on giving slavers hope and inspiration. Douglass is able to do this by going into extended detail about his life as a slave. Douglass shows the horrible life of a slave by including details of slaves he knew being tortured and mistreated. Douglass informs the audience of how the slaves had to live, and the harsh tasks they had to do. Douglass also shows the tough and persistant way he worked to become an educated man with a voice. Douglass shows this by telling the readers how he learned to read and write. My mistress used to go to class meeting at the Wilk street meetinghouse every Monday afternoon, and leave me too take care of the house. When left thus, I used to spend the time in writing the spaces left in Master Thomasrs copy book, copying what he had written I continued to do this until I could write a hand very similar to that of Master Thomas. Thus, after a long, tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write (Douglass, 48). Douglass recalls the times of how himself and other slaves were treated unfairly. After Douglass tells the readers of the treatment he and others have endured he explains how he was able to sneakily take lessons from white boys and write from the books of his masters while they were away. Lastly, Douglass uses the subject of civil and political rights in the memoir. Douglass constantly tells the readers his thoughts and opinions as a young child in the memoir. An example of this is how he continues to state how he wishes to run away to find a better life no matter what challenges he faces. The barrier betwixt himself and brother he considered impassable. I then had to regret that I did not at least make the attempt to carry out my resolution to run away for the chances of success are tenfold greater from the city than from the country (Douglass, 53). Douglass states this when he was about to travel from Baltimore to St. Michaelrs. Douglass shows that he would want to attempt to escape despite what consequences he could encounter. He is willing to escape and endure the consequences just as long as in his trying he could possibly create better lives for other slaves. In conclusion, Frederick Douglass, the author of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave wrote the memoir with a great amount of historical context and detail. Douglass wrote the memoir, intended for people who have not been subject to the treatment and lives that the slaves encountered. Douglass also intends to have previous and current slaves become the audience of the memoir in order to instil hope and inspiration in them. Lastly, Douglass uses the subject of civil and political rights for the memoir.