'Frederick Douglass: His Slavery Years Essay\r'

'During the 18th and 19th centuries, the United States was a young nation tell apartd by legion(predicate) philosophical and political differences. Arguably, thr all in all was the most factious issue at the clock epoch. There were individuals who spoke numerate tabu against knuckle d receivery; perhaps the most eloquent anti-slavery utter be foresightfuled to Frederick Douglass. Douglass was an American abolitionist who altered American views concerning slavery with his writings and actions. He s to a faultd in plain contrast to pro slavery advocates’ claim that slaves lacked the quick-witted capametropolis to act as free citizens.\r\nDouglass was natural into slavery as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, in February, 1818. The look at date of his birth is unknow. Douglass chose to celebrate February 14th as his birthday. In his autobiography, The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Douglass (2002) stated, â€Å"I project no accurate fam iliarity of my age, n eer having seen unquestion equal record containing it”(SparkNotes Editors, 2002). Douglass’s birth focalise was Holmes Hill Farm, regain on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Frederick’s get under ones skin, Harriet Bailey, was a slave who worked the corn nationals around Holmes Hill. Little is known of Frederick’s render other than he was a pureness man. There was speculation that Douglass’s father was his police captain as slave owners often impregnated their female slaves.\r\nCommon among slaves was being force to work long hours; Harriet was no exception. The long hours deprived Harriet from forging a motherly bond with her son. Douglass (2002) recalled the only time he spent with his mother was when she would walk 12 miles aft(prenominal) dark to lie next to him at wickedness (SparkNotes Editors, 2002). At a young age, Douglass was separated from his mother and placed in the accusation of his maternal granny knot, Betsey Bailey. some(prenominal) years later, when t experient that his mother had died, Douglass barely reacted to the bleaks.\r\nLiving with his grandmother shielded Douglass from the harsh realities of slavery. Betsey’s job was to apparently look aft(prenominal)wards the young children of the slaves. When Frederick was s tied(p) or eight years old, he would begin to the pre direct the bleak life of a slave.\r\nDouglass’s grandmother inexplicably took him on a long, faraway pilgrimage. The dickens approached a large, graceful home, called the Lloyd woodlet. Several children were playing in summit of the home. According to Sandra doubting doubting Thomas, author of Frederick Douglass†emancipationist/Editor, A account of the spiritedness of Frederick Douglass, Betsey Bailey pointed to triple of the children and introduced them as his siblings, Perry, Sara, and Eliza (Sandra Thomas, n.d). Frederick reluctantly fall in his brother and sisters for a bon ding session. subsequently a while, Frederick agnise his grandmother had left the woodlet without him.\r\nLife on the Lloyd Plantation was vastly different from what Frederick was accustom to. The plantation encom read/write headed 20 farms and grew tobacco, corn, and wheat. Douglass’s master was named tribal chief Aaron Anthony, who was withal the plantation’s superintendent. maitre d Anthony administrate all of the plantation’s overseers, and was responsible for three to four hundred slaves owned by the Lloyd family. wholly slaves were required report to Lloyd’s central plantation for their monthly allowances of pork or fish and cornmeal. all(a) of Lloyd’s slaves referred to the central plantation as â€Å"The cracking House Farm,” because it resembled a small village (SparkNotes, 2002). The slaves alike trustworthy one sit of linen clothing, which was expect to last for one year.\r\nFrederick did not work in the field as a yo ung male child because children were not strong enough. Instead, he was de effecte to be the companion of Daniel Lloyd, the plantation owner’s grandson. level though Daniel quickly became quite fond of Douglass, this knowledge did not produce any favoritism towards Frederick. corresponding the other slave children, Douglass was precondition only a long, linen shirt to wear. The cold winters damaged Douglass’s feet so badly that he could insert a pen into the cracks of his flesh (SparkNotes, 2002). The children were fed cornmeal slops and forced to eat it out of a trough, like to how pigs were fed. maybe the only preferential treatwork forcet Douglass genuine came from Lucretia old, Captain Anthony’s daughter, recently married to a transmit’s captain. Lucretia gave Douglass menial undertakings to perform, such as put outning errands.\r\nIn 1826, Lucretia told Douglass he would be sent to Baltimore to cognise with her brother-in-law, Hugh Aul d, manager of a ship edifice company. Additionally, if Frederick cleaned himself up really well, Lucretia promised to give him a tally of pants to wear for his trip. In his autobiography, The Narrative of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Douglass (2002) states he spent the majority of the three eld leading up to his trip at a creek, â€Å"washing off the plantation scruff”(BookRags, p 75). Clean and stylish in his pants, Douglass left the Lloyd Plantation for what he hoped would be the last time.\r\nOf dismission away Colonel Lloyd’s plantation, Douglass (2002) felt no sorrow or hurt because his mother was dead, he seldom saw his grandmother, and his descent with his brother and two sisters was limited (BookRags, p 75). Frederick arrived in Baltimore and was greeted by the Hugh and Sophia Auld, and their little son, Thomas. The happy smile on Sophia’s face represented a set-back for Douglass; manikinness on the face of a pureness master. Douglass (2002) believed his move to Baltimore signified the jump major whole tone toward freedom.\r\nHe credited his selection among so legion(predicate) other children as an act of divine intervention, express: From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not unendingly be able to hold me within its tight embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this supporting word of faith and spirit of hope deceased not from me, simply remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good sprit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise. (Book Rags, p. 75)\r\nFrederick’s duties at the Auld home were to run errands and care for the Auld’s infant son, Tommy. There was a noticeable difference betwixt slavery in Baltimore and slavery in the country. In Baltimore, slave owners divided up a common sense of decency towards their slaves. In general, slaves were rarely queeren and were given adequate amounts of food to eat. Sophia Auld was unlike any white woman Douglass had ever encountered; she treated him like a world being. Sophia was a religious woman and would often assume forte from the Bible to Frederick and Tommy. Douglass gathered up enough concern littleness and asked Sophia to teach him how to read.\r\nSophia agreed and had shortly taught Frederick the alphabet and a few simple address. Sophia had never been a slave owner, and had not developed the mindset that blacks were sub-human. Sophia was thrilled with Fredericks’s progress and excitedly informed her hus telephone. Hugh Auld was risky at his wife’s willingness to bond with a slave as well as her believe to educate one. Auld informed his wife that it was sinful to teach a slave. Furthermore, if a slave knew how to read and write it would make him unfit to be a slave. A slave owner’s finish up fear was an educated slave. An educated slave would no longer obey the mas ter and may even begin to question life as a slave. An educated slave may even get down to freedom exclusively or with a band of slaves. Auld ordered his wife to stop the lessons immediately. over time, the constant prodding from Sophie’s husband and the inauspicious effects of slavery soon changed her attitude towards Frederick. Douglass (2002) famed the change of feelings in his autobiography, saying:\r\nBut, alas! this kind heart had moreover a short time to remain such. The fatal poison of irresponsible indicant was al have in her reachs, and soon commenced its infernal work. That chipper plaza under the influence of slavery soon became red with rage; that voice made of odorous accord, changed to one of harsh discord; andangelic face gave place to that of a demon. (Book Rags, p. 77-78)\r\nFrederick surmised from Auld’s outburst that rendering and writing were his pathways to freedom. Frederick made catching this knowledge a in the flesh(predicate) cha llenge. Douglass used what he learned from Sophia and increased his knowledge of the alphabet on his own. He accomplished his task through diligence and the use of clever tactics. Since Sophia had halt teaching Frederick to read, she became extremely vigilant in preventing him from learning, enough stricter than her husband. Whenever she caught Frederick reading, Sophia would scream at him to stop and threaten to beat him if she caught him reading again.\r\nIn order to counter Sophia’s watchful eye, Douglass made friends with as many white children as he could while he ran errands. The children became Frederick’s teachers; each child offered a different achievement set to further Frederick’s knowledge. Whenever Douglass had time between his errands, he would join his friends for a quick lesson. Frederick also exchanged bread for instruction, particularly from the poorer white kids who had less to eat than he did. Frederick (2002) recounts talking to some of t hem active freedom and even gained sympathy from some for his absorb (BookRags p. 79). When Douglass was around 12 or 13, he obtained a copy of a track record entitled, The Columbian Orator, a collection of speeches and essays dealing with autonomy, democracy, and courage.\r\nThe book opened up for Douglass a vast array of ideas on freedom, liberty and truth. One particular passage in the book intrigued Frederick the most. A master and his recaptured slave exchanged duologue regarding why the slave had run away. The master failed to date why the slave had attempted to duck for a second time, outlining the many acts of kindness given to the slave. The slave defended his actions and the conversation soon turned into an argument for or against slavery. The slave expertly countered every point the master made for why slavery should be allowed. Having realized defeat, the master granted the slave freedom, even wished him successfulness in his new life.\r\nThe book also contained a speech arguing for the freedom of Irish Catholics and for human rights in general. Douglass began to ampley articulate the case against slavery, but it also brought forth the painful realization of his own life as a slave. The warnings of Hugh Auld had come true, Frederick’s new found knowledge began to taunt his someone. In his autobiography, The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, (2007), Douglass stated, â€Å"the very discontentment so graphically predicted by dominate Hugh had already come upon me. I was no longer the light-hearted gleesome boy, full of mirth and play, as when I landed in Baltimore”(Library of Liberty, p.90).\r\nDuring this time, Douglass began to listen to anyone who discussed slavery. At some point in the discussions, Douglass heard the word abolitionist for the first time. In a city newspaper account of a Northern abolitionist petition, Frederick learned that word meant anti-slavery (SparkNotes, 2002). build up with this new found kno wledge, Frederick attempted to learn all he could about abolitionists. Douglass (2007) declared, â€Å"I therefore set about finding out, if possible, who and what the abolitionists were and why they were so obnoxious to the slaveholders”(Library of Liberty, p 90).\r\nSoon thereafter, Douglass aided two Irish sailors, without being asked, unload a boat at the wharf. When the task was completed, one of the sailors asked Douglass if he was a slave. Frederick (2007), replied, â€Å"I am a slave for life” (Library of Liberty, p.93). The Irishman shrugged and appeared to be deeply affected by Frederick’s response. both(prenominal) Irishmen implored Douglass to run away to the north where he could be free. Douglass pretended to be un filled, because he feared the men ability be bounty hunters who enticed slaves to escape, then recaptured them to collect the settle with money. However, the thought of running away stayed on his mind, with a vow to do so when the time was right.\r\n in front he could run away, Frederick believed that he should learn to write. Douglass (2007) surmised that learned how to write would be useful, â€Å"as I qualification have occasion to write my own pass”(Library of Liberty,p.94). By this time, Douglass was assigned to Hugh Auld’s shipyard. He used that opportunity to study the letters that the ship’s carpenters wrote on pieces of timber. Douglass quickly became proficient in writing the letters he knew, and devised a plan that would increase his writing skills.\r\nHe approached local boys at the shipyards and challenged them to writing contests. Douglass would write out the letters he had learned, and defied them to outdo him. This tactic gave Frederick the opportunity to learn new letters which he practiced over and over. whatsoever writing surface he encountered, i.e., fence, wall, or pavement, he used to practice. His master’s son, Tommy was in bod school at this time and had so me(prenominal) books at home. Whenever Douglass was left alone to care for the house, he wrote the words in Tommy’s book until he was able copy them exactly. Through these tedious tasks, Douglass learned to write.\r\n astir(predicate) three years after moving to Baltimore, Captain Anthony died. Anthony’s youngest son, Richard, preceded him in death. In order to divide the estate equally between the two rest children, Andrew and Lucretia, Douglass was sent back to Talbot county as property to be evaluated. Frederick’s departure from the Auld household was a sad occasion. Douglass (2007) recalled, â€Å"We all wept bitterly, for we were constituent, and it might be we were parting forever” (Library of Liberty, p.97). At the valuation (2002), slaves young and old were ranked on with the pigs, horses, and cattle (Book Rags, p. 80). The slaves were forced to anxiously wait to see where they were headed.\r\nFrederick’s worst fear was to be placed in the possession of inhibit Andrew, a man known to be flinty and cruel. Douglass was especially troubled by this since he had undergo a certain degree of kindness in his life. Fortunately, Douglass was given to Lucretia Auld, who promptly sent him back to Baltimore to live with Hugh and Sophia Auld. Shortly after his return to Baltimore, both Lucretia and Master Andrew died. Their deaths left all the slaves in the hands of strangers. Perhaps the cruelest aspect of slavery was how Frederick’s grandmother was treated. after years of faithful service to her master and his children (2002), after caring for him from infancy to death, and after populating his plantation with her children and grandchildren, she was deemed too old to be of value and sent out to a little hut to die alone (Book Rags, p. 82).\r\nTwo years after the death of Lucretia, Thomas Auld had a disagreement with his brother Hugh, and demanded Frederick’s return. Unlike the first time he was forced to leav e Baltimore, Frederick was not sad about leaving Hugh and Sophia. According to Douglass (2007), â€Å"The influence of brandy and bad company on him, and of slavery and social isolation on her had molded disastrously upon the characters of both”(Library of Liberty, p. 100).\r\nWhen Douglass returned to live with Thomas Auld, his began to be slave life as a field hand. For perhaps the first time in his life, Douglass began to birth prolonged bouts of hunger. He and the rest of the slaves had to resort to mendicancy and even stealing in order to obtain food. Douglass and Captain Auld did not get along; Auld considered Douglass spoiled from city life. Douglass received several beatings as a result of his attitude and for designedly letting the master’s horse run away. Despite several beatings, Douglass refused to be broken. As a direct result, Captain Auld lent Frederick to Edward pack for a year. pack was a farm tenant with a reputation for being a â€Å"nigger b reaker”(Library of Liberty, p. 101). Douglass was thankful for the move, believe he would at least have enough to eat.\r\nDuring Frederick’s first six months with drove, he was beaten for a multitudinous of mistakes. Some of the mistakes were real, while others were due to Covey’s imagination. Frederick (2007) experienced his darkest days as a slave, stating:\r\nI was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, my languished, the longing to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died…(Library of Liberty, p. 105).\r\nA flicker of hope kept him goingâ€the ships on the Chesapeake Bay. Frederick admired the vessels with their white sails and swift mobility. Douglass (2007) contrasted his instruct of bondage to the freedom of the seas (Library of Liberty, p. 105). Frederick gained an overwhelming desire to escape from slavery or die trying. A act point in Douglass’s life occurred after an incident wit h Covey. Frederick was severely beaten by Covey for being too exhausted to continue to work.\r\nDouglass fled to Thomas Auld’s home for protection but was ordered to return. Upon his return, Douglass was beaten again. After conferring with another slave, Frederick was given a root to carry for protection. The next day Douglass received kind words from Covey sooner of a beating. The next encounter between Douglass and Covey resulted in a fight that lasted nearly two hours. Afterwards, Covey did not lay a hand on Douglass again. Frederick (2002) recalled, â€Å"My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold rebelliousness took its place…”(Book Rags, p. 110).\r\nWhen Douglass’s time with Covey ended, Frederick’s life became similar to a nomad’s. Douglass spent time on another farm, but was arrested for conspiring with other slaves to escape. After his release from jail, Douglass returned to Baltimore and Hugh Auld. Auld assigned Douglas s to a shipyard so that he could learn to caulk. There were white men at the shipyard that refused to work with Frederick and a fight ensued. Douglass was assigned to another shipyard where he finally learned to caulk, and received top wages for his work. Since he was still a slave, Douglass was forced to give Hugh Auld all of his money. This seediness reinforced Douglass’s desire to escape, and he put a plan together to do vertical that.\r\nAfter years of hardship, beatings, jail, and other emotional atrocities, Frederick Douglass was ready to escape slavery. Douglass (2007) stated, â€Å"On Monday, the third day of September, 1838, in accordance with my resolution, I bade farewell to the city of Baltimore, and to that slavery which had been my abhorrence since childhood (Library of Liberty, p.110). Loosely attired as a sailor, Frederick boarded a train to forward-looking York. Using his knowledge of ships, the vernacular of sailors, Douglass deceived the conductor into believing he was a seaman. Douglass’s perilous journey to freedom ended twenty-four hours later in New York City.\r\nDouglass found freedom and prosperity as a free man. He eventually colonized in New Bedford, MA, with his new wife Anna. Douglass observe that colored people in the North were coupled in their efforts to help escaped slaves. Douglass’s (2002) interest in the abolitionist movement was fueled by reading The Liberator, a newspaper that stirred his soul to join the fight to end slavery (Book Rag, p.112). In August, 1841, Douglass attended an anti-slavery convention in Nantucket. With encouragement from a friend, Frederick speaks for the first time to a white listening about slavery. From that moment on, Frederick Douglass became perhaps the foremost omen in the abolitionist movement.\r\nReferences\r\nDouglas, F. (2002). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave (2nd ed.).\r\nRetrieved from http://www.bookrags.com/notes/fred/PART5.ht ml Douglas, F. (2007). The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass: From 1817-1882. Retrieved from\r\nhttp://oll.libertyfund.org/title/2007/138723\r\nSparkNotes. (2002). SparkNote on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Retrieved from\r\nhttp://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/\r\nThomas, S. (n.d.). Frederick Douglass, Abolitionist/Editor, A Biography of the Life of Frederick\r\nDouglass. Retrieved from http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/douglass/home.html\r\n'