The Narrative Of Frederick Douglass How He Grows
Frederick Douglass definitely plays out to become quite a hero for all african-americans in his life story. His narrative describes a man's adaptation and escape from the life of slavery. Born a slave, and destined to die a slave, Douglass would not stand for it. He slowly brought himself to read and write, and planned his escape. He became what most people think to be one of the greatest writers of his time, and most courageous in his storytelling. He progressed from naïve little boy to abolishionist leader in the course of The Narrative of the Life of an an American Slave.
Douglass shows signs of growth during the battle with Mr.Covey. Douglass had fainted from exhaustion, and Mr. Covey, the "slave-driver," came to investigate. He immediately went to work on Frederick, beating him until he rose. He decided to take up this injustice with the master himself. Mr. Covey became so furious that he preceded to attack Frederick upon his return. This was Frederick's first stand: "..but at this moment
I resolved to fight;and, suiting my action to the resolution, I seized Covey hard by the throat; and as I did so, I rose."(81) Mr. Covey had no idea a slave could pose such a resitance to him. He was taken so aback by the incident, that no further beating would be imposed on Douglass during his stay. Frederick has just stood up for the inequity of slavery. Then came Frederick's run for freedom. He decided that if only half of the U.S. were slave states, then he should make his way north to the free ones, not a tough decision. Or was it? Escaping slavery meant that angry slaveholders would want you hunted down, or maybe dead. But to Frederick, sometimes dead could be better than a slave. "I remained firm, and according to my resolution, on the third day of September, 1838, I left my chains, and succeeded in reaching New York without the slightest interruption of any kind."(111) All can agree that Douglass has proven maturity not only in his...
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