Great Works II

From the very first paragraph, Frederick Douglass informs how unfair and cruel the whites treated the slaves. He starts by describing how lost and confused he is. He explains how he doesn’t even know his own birthday, comparing it to the white children. I feel that this takes away a slave’s identity of who they really are, making them more of a property than a human being. Douglass explains the slaves at the Great House Farm as a close society. They would sing songs together to complain about the unfair treatment of slaves. I feel that this is very helpful since they have no one to rely on but themselves. Singing songs are a form of relief that helps them get through their days.

Douglass appreciates Mrs. Auld’s view of the whole slavery policy. When he first moved in with Mrs. Auld, she taught him the alphabet and simple English. Although Hugh Auld prevents Mrs. Auld from further teaching Douglass, he is determined to learn how to read. He found a way to exchange food for lessons. I feel that the slave masters prohibit slaves from receiving an education because they may gain the knowledge to escape slavery. Receiving an education was a way for Douglass to cope with the troubles and hardships of slavery. Slavery restricts the slaves from being in contact with the public and outside world. Although he never learns his identity or his birthday, he was able to learn more about himself, the world, and current things that are happening in the world.