Frederick Douglass was an advocate for the end of slavery. After escaping from slavery, Douglass subscribed to a abolitionist magazine and worked towards freeing other slaves. Frederick’s views relate significantly to those of Walt Whitman. Walt Whitman also sought freedom and equality . Whitman’s views can be seen in “I Hear America Singing” when he writes “The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing” (Whitman, “I Hear America Singing” 10-11). In this quote, Whitman discusses how women should be able to contribute to society regardless of gender. This is similar to Douglass’ views because he discusses how everyone should be able to work together in society regardless of race. In The Narrative …show more content…
Frederick’s hardships resulted in a craving for freedom and individual power. Specifically, one hardship that Douglass faced was a separation from his mother at a young age. Douglass never had the opportunity to experience motherly love. “Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger” (Douglass). This lack of love caused by slavery furthers his agony towards slavery and his craving out of it. It created a mindset of individuality. Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” promotes this same mindset. “To believe our own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, -- that is genius” (Emerson). Emerson is explaining the importance of following one's own beliefs and not the belief of others. Just like Douglass, he promotes a mindset of individuality and self reliance.
The Narrative of Frederick Douglass shares the same themes as Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “American Scholar” and “Self-Reliance” and Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing”. These themes include the basic right of freedom, the importance of knowledge, and the importance of being self reliant. It is these rights that are denied to those held captive by slavery. Frederick Douglass not only gained these rights but used them