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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself | Introduction

In 1838, at the age of twenty, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and settled in the North. He quickly became involved in the campaign against slavery, known as the abolitionist movement. Seven years later in 1845, he published the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself, in which he told the story of his life under slavery. His moving account of slavery and his eventual escape lent a certain authenticity to Douglass' speeches and writings against institutionalized slavery that white abolitionists did not have. His use of vivid language in depicting violence against slaves, his psychological insights into the power dynamics between slaves and slaveholders, and his naming of specific persons and places made his book a powerful indictment against a society (both in the North and South of the United States) that continued to condone slavery as a viable social and economic institution.

More than a story about the evils of slavery, the Narrative touches on basic issues and themes important to all Americans. These include the value of freedom, social justice and equal rights, and condemnation of violence against those who do not have the legal power to protect themselves. Written in a lucid and passionate style, the Narrative uses a variety of rhetorical and literary devices. Teachers use it as an example of a historical document and a literary work. The Narrative has taken its place in the American literary canon as a precursor of a rich tradition of African-American autobiographical works, from Richard Wright's Black Boy to Malcolm X's (with Alex Haley) The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written... Summary

Preface
Before the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave begins, the reader is provided with a preface, written in 1884 by the famous abolitionist leader William Lloyd Garrison, that sets the tone of the book. Garrison notes how he first met Douglass at an antislavery convention in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He then goes on to describe Douglass' impassioned and unforgettable speech that eventually led to writing this book. His thoughts echo those of many who saw Douglass speak that day when he writes, ''I think that I never hated slavery so intensely as at that moment.’’ Garrison explains how he encouraged Douglass to become involved in the abolitionist movement and how Douglass feared that he would do more harm than good. However, Garrison persisted and Douglass became one of the most eloquent and persuasive promoters of slave independence. Garrison notes that ''As a public speaker, he excels in pathos, wit, comparison, imitation, strength of reasoning, and fluency of language.''

In his preface, Garrison mentions a number of abolitionists who were well known in the antislavery movement. These include John A. Collins; Charles Lenox Remond, an African-American free man; and Daniel O'Connell, who fought for Irish independence in the mid-nineteenth century. These men have all argued passionately and eloquently for the end of oppression, yet Garrison claims that none is as... » Complete Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an... Summary