Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass (c.1818-1895)
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
American
Realism
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845) is an autobiographical account written by Frederick Douglass. Douglass was a prominent 19th-century African-American abolitionist, orator, and author who also became the first high-ranking African-American U.S. government official. Born as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in the slave state of Maryland, Frederick changed his surname to Douglass after escaping from the South in 1838 to avoid getting captured and sent back. After fleeing to the North, he worked with other abolitionists and gave public lectures about his life in the South and the slaves’ conditions; these public lectures became the basis for Narrative. In Narrative, Douglass famously recounts his first experience of literacy and his realization of its importance for freedom. He also makes references to the Bible, Shakespeare, and other works such as The Columbian Orator. Narrative is often regarded as the finest example of the slave narrative not only for its content but also for its eloquence and literary artistry. The slave narrative refers to (auto)biographical written accounts or fictional works about enslaved people, especially enslaved Africans. While the American slave narrative is itself a distinct literary genre, Douglass’s Narrative has characteristics corresponding to 19th-century Realism in its testimonial desire for realistic representations of slaves’ lives in North America, its unabashed attention to objective (including brutal) details, and its desire for democracy and human equality.
Consider while reading:
- How does Douglass’s Narrative demonstrate the power of both orality and literacy?
- When Douglass was writing his Narrative, slavery was still not abolished in the United States. How do you think this historical context might have led Douglass to specific decisions on the content of Narrative?
- Explore the significance of the appendix, considering its argument, rhetorical devices, and target audience.
Written by Kyounghye Kwon