Jason Fitz

October 21, 2018

Ms. Carroll,Mr. Crain-Davis,Ms. Mackey,Mr. Vribe

Frederick Douglass Essay

Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist, author and leader after he’s escaped from slavery in
Maryland. He was known for becoming a leading spokesperson for the abolition of slavery and for racial
equality. Frederick Douglass reveals his theme of racial equality by using diction and characterization in
the Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass.
Firstly, Frederick Douglass uses characterization in his narrative by showing us readers that the
slaveholders showed injustice, and showed no integrity whatsoever to the slaves. Douglass describes them
as cruel and showing no remorse. He states in page 51, “ I made no effort to to comply, having now made
up my mind to let him do his worst. In a short time after receiving this blow, my head grew bigger. Mr.
Covey had now left me to my fate.” This shows that slaves were treated really bad and were often beaten
to be left to die. As shown in this quote, Frederick was left; bleeding to death by his slaveholder, Mr.
Covey. Another piece of evidence that Frederick stated about equality in page 26, “ I speak advisedly
when I say this , --that killing a slave, or any colored person in Talbot county, Maryland is not treated as a
crime, either by the courts or the community.” This evidence shows that slaves weren’t really attentive
nor were helped back then in Maryland. Slaves were not a serious crime which means they were barely
seen as normal human beings and were just treated like property. Douglass reveals his theme of equality
by showing us that slaves were often treated really bad and were never shown justice by not only their
masters,but by other people as well.
Secondly, Frederick Douglass uses diction in his narrative by repeating certain words or phrases
in his narrative. One word he often use is the word, “cruel”. To show how badly slaves were treated and
how much hate they had to go through in Maryland by their slaveholders. Frederick Douglass states in
page 60, “Their minds had been starved by their cruel masters. They had been shut up in mental darkness.
I taught them, because it was the delight of my soul to be doing something that looked like bettering the
condition of my race.” This evidence shows that even with slaves being broken by their cruel masters and
even having to be treated really bad to the point where the slaves are brought down into their soft
heartless lives meaning sad. Frederick Douglass helped those slaves fulfill their education. Another word
that Frederick mentions a lot in his narrative is the word, “freedom”. He mentions this word in one of his
most important quotes that led him to have equality in page 54, “I felt as if I never felt before. It was a
glorious resurrection, from the tomb of slavery, to the heaven of freedom. My crushed spirit arose,
cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place.” This piece of evidence stated by Douglass shows that
even if his cruel masters were to bring down their slaves, Frederick Douglass would still be able to seek
freedom and justice. He develops his theme of equality by showing that slaves had no rights but yet
Frederick felt “alive”. Which leads back to his theme of racial equality.
Lastly, Douglass wants to show us readers that racial equality was revealed as his theme in his
Narrative by using Characterization and Diction by reminding us the words he uses and the type of
cruelty that was given to the slaves back then in Maryland. This relates back to the present which is today.
Because some people out there in the real world have racial occurrences throughout the years by showing
how cruel people can be. And also having protests meaning people can express themselves and their
freedom and justice which relates back to Frederick Douglass’s theme of racial equality.