Comparing Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an...

Comparing Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl What provokes a person to write about his or her life? What motivates us to read it? Moreover, do men and women tell their life story in the same way? The answers may vary depending on the person who answers the questions. However, one may suggest a reader elects to read an autobiography because there is an interest. This interest allows the reader to draw from the narrators experience and to gain understanding from the experience. When the reader involves him/herself in the experience, the reader encounters what is known and felt by the narrator. The encounter may provide the reader an opportunity to explore a†¦show more content†¦Although Douglass and Jacobs experiences support the personal as political, their narratives further explore the residual effects of slavery: 1) to prohibit the identity of male and female slave, and 2) to marginalize the slaves presence in society. The problem of identity plagues Douglass. Unable to establish a sense of self, Douglass questions his age and parentage. From the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, he states, I have no accurate knowledge of my age [...] (1824). Douglass concern about his age is a sign that he lacks knowledge important to who is he. For Douglass, his age would confirm the years he has been in bondage. By questioning his age, Douglass characteristically connects to the American Renaissances quest to examine and explore oneself in society. Douglass further inquires about his parents: My mother was named Harriet Bailey. [...] My father was a white man. He was admitted to be such by all I ever heard speak of my parentage. The opinion was also whispered that my master was my father; but of the correctness of this opinion, I know nothing; the means of knowing was withheld from me. My mother and I were separated when I was but an infant-before I knew her as my mother. (Douglass 1824-1825) Failure to obtain the knowledge of his paternity and separation from his mother prevents a familial connection. William McFreelysShow MoreRelatedJacobs Douglass: An Insight Into The Experience of The American Slave1019 Words   |  5 PagesThe slave narratives of the ante-bellum time period have come across numerous types of themes. Much of the work concentrates on the underlining ideas beneath the stories. In the narratives, fugitives and ex-slaves appealed to the humanity they shared with their readers during these times, men being lynched and marked all over and women being the subject of grueling rapes. The slave narrative of Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl themes come from the existenceRead MoreEssay on Out of the Silence1445 Words   |  6 PagesThe slave narrative genre is an important part of American history. These stories are not only portraits of individual history, but also of American history. By reading the stories of the past we can better determine the path of the future. The personal stories of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs are two excellent examples of the slave narrative genre in American literature. To be sure, bondage and oppression had a lasting and profound effect on both genders; however, men and women experien cedRead More The Affect Slavery Has On Family Life Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesIt Has On Family Life The Effects Of It The lives of Harriet Jacobs in Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave includes diverse experiences that allow them to share common factors to relate to each others stories. Jacobs and Douglass were born during the slavery period in the â€Å"less harsh† regions of North Carolina and Maryland. Looking at and comparing their childhood, Jacobs and Douglass both enjoy the happierRead MoreThe Life Of Frederick Douglass And Harriet Ann Jacobs904 Words   |  4 PagesFrederick Douglass and Harriet Ann Jacobs There are those in America who believe that it is time we move past the deep complex feelings towards the cultural repercussions of slavery. Much like the modern-day, Germans feel in their association with the murders and tragedies after World War II, many Americans – especially white American – want to feel an understandable disassociation from the white Americans who propagated slavery. Thus calling this unbearable reminder of the past â€Å"white guilt†Read More Interpretations of Slavery Essay3734 Words   |  15 Pagesare present in all forms of slavery. Slaves were property and objects, not subjects of the law. Slaves had few rights, always fewer than their owners. Slave were also limited to few social activities and were not allowed to participate in political decisions. Finally, any earnings aquired by slaves by law belonged to their master. Also, slaves were prevented from making their own choices regarding physical reproduction. Western slavery took each of these slave characteristics to a new level and asRead MoreLiterature as Resistance in the Anti-Slavery Movement Essay3309 Words   |  14 Pagesemancipation was not one which began and ended with the Civil War. African Americans during the period of slavery had very few options left to them regarding their own freedom. The law that held them in slavery could not be trusted to emancipate them. For those who were fortunate enough to have obtained their freedom, the only power they had they had in the abolitionist fight was the power of the written word. African American writers used varying writing styles to carry their message across. Some usedRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesof Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian and Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History

Characterization In A Classic Novel Essay Example For Students

Characterization In A Classic Novel Essay Characterization in a Classic NovelMary Shellys Frankenstein is the story of a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, and his quest to create life from death. Frankensteins experiment goes dreadfully wrong and he is forced to flee from the monster he created. Throughout this novel, Frankenstein is characterized by his extreme intelligence, skepticism and withdrawn behavior, and remorse. In the beginning of this novel, it is clearly stated that Victor has a love for knowledge. It was the secrets of heaven and earth that I desired to learn; and whether it was the outward nature and the mysterious soul of man that occupies me, still my inquiries were directed to the metaphysical, or in its highest sense, that physical secrets of the world, (37). Victor is educated but self-taught in his favorite subjects. He begins reading books dealing only with science and describes himself as, always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature, (39). When Victor is old enough, he attends college in Ingolstadt. At Ingolstadt, Victor becomes interested in chemistry and the human body. Frankenstein decides to create a human being in hopes that he will be able to restore life to the dead. It is apparent that Victor dislikes groups of people. During his childhood, he has one friend who remains close to him throughout his life. Instead of talking to his friend or family when he is troubled, Victor seeks refuge in nature. After Victor begins school, he does not return home for years. He does not tell his family or friend about his experiment and keeps this a secret even to his grave. Victor becomes aware of how withdrawn he has become and sees an, insurmountable barrier placed between me and my fellow men, (151). He works on his creation day and night and is so anxious that even he, grew alarmed at the wreck that I perceived that I had become, (55). As soon as Frankensteins monster comes to life, horror and disgust filled his heart, (56). After running from the monster for years, Frankenstein realizes that his monster has been killing people close to him. Frankenstein immediately takes the blame for the deaths and will do anything to stop the monsters actions. Victor reluctantly agrees to make a female companion for his monster. He begins to create another monster but destroys her because he can not bear the thought of, setting loose upon the earth a demon whose delight is in death and wretchedness, (160). Victor chases the monster for years in hopes that he will end the monsters life in retribution for killing his loved ones. He never catches the monster and the rest of Victors life is lived with overwhelming feelings of remorse. It was his creation that killed his brother, best friend, wife, and lead to the death of his father. Victors characteristics are vital to this novel. It is because of Victor Frankensteins intelligence, skepticism, and remorse that his actions throughout Frankenstein are believable. His desires to learn and create are the basis for his actions throughout the novel. If Victor had not realized that his creation was evil and the cause of the terrible events happening to him, then he never would have devoted his life to finding the monster and ending its life. Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Signet Classic.1983.