The passage I picked was “He was immediately chained and handcuffed; and thus, without a moment’s warning, he was snatched away, and forever sundered, from his family and friends, by a hand more unrelenting than death. This is the penalty of telling the truth, of telling the simple truth, in answer to a series of plain questions” (244).
This passage in the text made a strong impression on my reading because he gave us a glimpse into what it was like to be a slave in America. To think that we one day could be living with our family and friends to the next moment being captured with no idea where we’re going and what’s going to happen to you is a horrifying thought. For these slaves who were torn apart from their families, the thought of that was even worse than death. These people had no control over their fate and couldn’t protect their families after they were captured. This quote in itself leaves a strong impression that these slaves in America would have preferred to die than be apart from their families. Slaves weren’t even seen as people. As stated in the passage, the slaveowners had so many that they didn’t even recognize them. These human beings were treated as objects and as property, and getting to hear it first hand from someone who experienced this stuff makes it all the more real.
I believe what this passage tells us about Douglas is that he is intelligent and socially and historically aware and the environment he grew up in taught him the things he needs to know. He knows what is going to happen and what slaves need to do in order to please their masters.
Hailey, In the passage you selected, I am particularly struck by the idea that slaves were punished for telling the truth. This gives us an added appreciation and understanding for what it means for Douglass to write and publish this autobiography. After all, he is telling the truth about slavery and the truth of his own experience – an act which requires tremendous courage!