Narrative of Life of American Slave

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" tru

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nguage of "the grave is at the door" and "cold sweat of death" illicits even deeper pangs of horror. Similar to other straightforward passages in the Narrative, the blunt depiction of death -she stands - she sits - she staggers - she falls - she groans - she dies - "mirrors the debased and raw nature of the grand-mother's death. Adding to the jarring quality of the passage, the choppy structure attaches a monotonous rhythm to the disturbing image of an equally monotonous death. Combining a restrained and more expressive language, this passage resonates with outrage and resentment toward a slave system that mercilessly allowed this undignified event. Similarly, in an outburst to God, Douglass once again sheds the self-control. His cries of "O that I were free!" and "let me be free" (1911) echoed by the repeated, woeful "O" sound convey Douglass' desperation and anguish. The metaphor of a ship sailing in the bay combined with the dichotomous images of "angels" and "iron" depict his eagerness to cast off enslavement for freedom. This passionate tone and poetic style reemerge later when narrating his escape from Mr. Freeland (ironically named for one who does not "free" but enslave those on his "land"). Describing "now we wer
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Approximate Word count = 2435
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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