Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

             Speechless........ What more is there to say! It is awful that any human being went through so much torment. Animals were treated with more respect. I admire Fredrick Douglas for surviving and persevering when the world was against him. He was raised by various masters, none of which truly cared for him. I cannot imagine growing up without my mother. Fredrick grew up without a mother, father, or anyone who loved him. I am amazed at his will to survive.

                Fredrick described having no clothing as a child. He only had a shirt that went to his knees. I am shocked he survived the cold winters. I just imagine him curled up in a burlap sack with his feet hanging out bleeding from cuts and frostbite. I have never tried to keep warm with a burlap sack. I'm pretty sure it would not keep me warm or even break the wind on a mild winter night.   How could someone see a child in that condition and not feel pain in their heart for the child. Fredrick described good masters as feeding their slaves enough and bad ones as not feeding them enough. We complain when we have to wait five minutes in a fast food drive through. while we sit in our warm car listening to our favorite music. Slaves did not starve for one  or two days or even a month. They were starved for their entire lives.

                Fredrick suffered from beatings and exhaustion. He learned at an early age the consequences of disobeying or dissatisfying his master. I cannot understand how someone could survive such savage beatings. I am sure his wounds from lashings and heavy labor were often infected. It is a miracle he did not die from a, infection. Mr. Covey was described as a good slave holder because he actually fed his slaves. I'm fairly certain his opinion of Covey changed. Just when it seemed like Fredrick had no will left to fight, he found some inner strength to battle with Covey for two hours. Where did this  will to fight come from? He defeated Mr. Covey physically and somehow gained the privilege of being treated in a slightly more respectable way.   

                I believe his knowledge and thirst for knowledge is what set him free. Fredrick was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. He learned the alphabet, writing and reading with little help from others. Knowledge is power. Knowledge started a fire in Fredrick's heart. He realized that there was a whole world out there waiting for him. Without that small flame of knowledge Fredrick would have never found the strength to resist oppression. I will never suffer as Fredrick did while being enslaved. I can learn a lesson from his experience. Knowledge is power. Knowledge will set you free.