Throughout the course of Frederick Douglass’ life, he faces many obstacles; many of which are people. Growing up in the south, he soon learns that many white southerners do not treat slaves or even free colored people with much more respect than their land, because property is property to these people. When Douglass finally decides he wants to be more than just an object, he starts his journey to the north. The north is considered safe for slaves and freemen. When Douglass finally arrives in the north, he experiences many changes. The most striking thing about Douglass’ life as a freeman is the drastic change of the culture in the north opposed to the south.
As early as his journey to the north, Douglass notices a difference in his treatment by white people. One of the first people he met was Mr. Ruggles. Douglass says “...whose vigilance, perseverance, and kindness I shall never forget...Mr. Ruggles sought me out, and very kindly took me to his boarding-house at the corner of Church and Lispenard streets” (99). The act of a white man treating a black man with respect was almost unheard of. Taking in fugitive slaves was highly illegal and Mr. Ruggles used his humanity to risk his name for slaves like Douglass. Frederick Douglass would have never received that respect by any stranger in the south. …show more content…
In the south, this is completely unacceptable due to slave culture. Douglass’ first experience of being his own master is working for himself. He explains “I worked that day with the pleasure I had never before experienced. I was at work for myself and newly married wife. It was to me the starting point of a new existence” (103). This is new to him, seeing as in prior years any earnings were collected by his master. It seems as if this change comes as more of a surprise to Douglass because he is being treated more