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How Does Frederick Douglass Overcome Physical Abuse

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an autobiography written by Frederick Douglass and published in 1845, tells the story of a former slave. Frederick Douglass was once a slave, but has transformed into a passionate abolitionist who advocates against slavery. The purpose of the narrative is to describe the challenges Douglass has to overcome and the mental and physical abuse he suffered through. Chapter six specifically focuses on how slavery can change a person and Douglass’ central claim that the ownership of slaves can poison the most kindhearted person, leading them to be corrupted. In chapter six, Douglass describes the corruption of Sophia Auld and introduces two slaves, Mary and Henrietta, to support his central claim that the …show more content…
Sophia Auld, Hugh Auld’s wife and Douglass’ new mistress, has never owned a slave before. Therefore, she does not understand the slave-owning culture. Sophia is described as a kind, caring woman with a, “face made of heavenly smiles,” (Ch 6; 19). The hyperbole here puts emphasis on Sophia’s joyful personality. She treats Douglass with respect and even teaches him how to read and write. Unfortunately, slavery gets the best of her and she transforms into a cruel, harsh person. When Hugh Auld finds out Sophia has been teaching Douglass how to read, he warns her that teaching a slave how to read is harmful and unsafe. As a result, Sophia alters into a different person. Douglass describes Sophia’s transformation in the quote, “That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made of all sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic fact gave place to that of a demon,”(Ch 6; 19). Douglass uses anaphora to add importance on Sophia’s transformation from an angel to a demon. Sophia Auld symbolizes false hope. Douglass believes that he will be under the care of a loving mistress, only for her to change into a cold slave owner. The alteration of Sophia Auld best demonstrates the criminality of slavery and supports Douglass’ claim that slavery not only affects slaves, but also slave …show more content…
Mary and Henrietta are the slaves of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, two cruel slave owners. Henrietta is 22 years old, and Mary is about 14 years old. Douglass claims that slaves in cities are treated more humanely than in the South. Henrietta and Mary are the exceptions. Henrietta is constantly being whipped by Mrs. Hamilton, and Mary is beaten so often that she is more known as “pecked” than her own name. They are abused so frequently that, “The head, neck, and shoulders of Mary were literally cut to pieces”, (Ch 6; 21). The imagery utilized helps the reader visualize how slaves are treated and what exactly is done to them. Utilizing an example to explain how a slave is treated best illustrates Douglass’ argument. Imagery paints a picture in words and appeals to the audience’s senses and can draw emotion from the reader. The pathos in, “I have seen Mary contending with the pigs for the offal thrown into the street. So much was Mary kicked and cut to pieces, that she was oftener called “pecked” than by her name,” also draws emotion from the reader (Ch 6; 21). The audience feels pity and sympathy for Mary. Pathos creates a connection between the reader and Mary, assisting to help gain support for Douglass’ central claim. Describing how Mary and Henrietta are typically treated further aids Douglass’ claim that the actions involved in slavery are

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