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Narrative of Life of American Slave

"Sincerely and earnestly hoping that this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system," Frederick Douglass concludes his Narrative of the Life of an American Slave in 11 chapters of moving narration. Douglass clearly proves that he not only fulfilled, but also exceeded his goal. Although often subtle and self-controlled, Douglass' language and tone do not dilute, but rather invigorate his social criticism. His word choice, tone, outbursts of emotion, and relentless paradoxes generate a biting criticism of the American slave system.

On the surface, much of Douglass' Narrative is purely descriptive. Yet, although seemingly neutral, many of these passages reveal a sarcastic criticism. For example, within a detailed depiction of Colonel Lloyd's stable and carriage-house, Douglass explains that Lloyd's family "enjoyed the luxury of whipping the servants when they pleased" (1865). Ironically equating the brutal "whipping" with "luxury," Douglass illuminates the slaveowners lack of compassion. By embracing the slavemaster's language in this straightforward description. Douglass subtly mocks the slaveowner's values, later defined as "what he [master] most loved, that I most hated" (1894).

Similarly, while describing Colonel Lloyd selling off a slave, Douglass states that, "this is the penalty of telling the truth, of telling the simple truth, in answer to a series of plain questions" (1886). By deliberately emphasizing the "simple" truth and the "plain" questions, Douglass implicitly defends the slaves and condemns the slavemasters for punishing such blatant innocence. Without directly stating a judgment in these incidents, Douglass clearly conveys his disapproval through subtle sarcasm.

In another passage portraying the slave Caroline, Douglass once again uses this descriptive yet critical language. Initially explaining how she was a "large, able-bodied woman" who was bought for a "br...

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Narrative of Life of American Slave. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 15:13, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1680636.html