Great Works II

While reading the final chapters of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, I was intrigued by the apparent blurred lines between good and bad, freedom and captivity, and power and weakness. We see the hypocrisy of a religious slave owner who uses religion to cover up his hateful actions. We also are told about Douglass’ changing feelings about freedom as he watches the boats pass him by. Also, there is a change in Douglass’ feelings of motivation and submission.

Douglass also ponders the differences between freedom and captivity, questioning why other people deserve to be free, yet he is held as a slave. These thoughts give us insight into Douglass’ ability to think outside of everyday social norms, and question the morality of the things happening around him. While other slaves may have felt compelled to accept their position as a slave, Douglass shows the strength to work through especially hard times and stay motivated.

Douglass’ ability to overcome feelings of helplessness in an effort to free himself and others was truly remarkable to me. It was interesting to have an inside look at his thoughts and emotions, and the way he reacted to different events, although there are certain events that leave Douglass somewhat speechless. Douglass admits that he has “never been able to answer the question” of how he felt upon entering a free State “with any satisfaction.” (p. 284)

Douglass’ subtle secrecy toward the end of the narrative really put the entire story in perspective for me. Reading his story as a historical text takes away some of the feelings of urgency and danger that Douglass must have felt. The fact that Douglass choose to keep the specific details of his escape a secret really speaks to the fact that although he was now a free man, his work was not done, and there was still a lot on the line. In a way, there is much more meaning in the things that Douglass lefts untold.