Introduction
In his Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass attempts to deconstruct the stereotypes about slavery and its aspects. This book is essential because it reveals the main concepts of slavery at the time and explains aspects of people’s lives under pressure. Most of the stories presented by Frederick Douglass debunk the stereotypes connected with religious justification and the romanticization of servitude.
Douglass Destroys the Myth that Mulattoes cannot be Enslaved
The first important myth that Douglass destroys is the statement that mulattoes cannot be enslaved. In his desire to defeat the institution of slavery, the black man researched all the laws and regulations that spoke of slavery (Douglass 5). Such curiosity played an essential role for Frederick, as the young man began to believe that the Bible only spoke about black people. At the same time, the author emphasizes the idea that man partially discredits the church, showing an incorrect interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.
Christianity Interpreted Certain Scriptures Differently
Along with the fact that Douglass destroys the myth of slavery and criticizes its essence, he reveals the whole body of Christianity. In this way, the author discusses the stereotype that religion was supposed to be essential for enslaved people and enslavers (Douglass 6). Frederick directly questions the order by which people live because, as he proved, Christianity interpreted certain scriptures differently and adjusted specific important passages for itself and its comfort (Douglass 95). Moreover, despite the use of enslaved people according to Christianity, the enslavers themselves often led an amoral way of life and did not respect the Bible. The sacral beliefs were mostly ignored for the sake of making a profit from the hard labor. The masters were practicing sins considered deadly and referred to the Book only in public talks.
Destroying the Overly Romanticized Image of Slavery in Society
Another myth Douglass destroys is society’s overly romanticized image of slavery. It is worth highlighting that for many regions, it was essential to enslave people for profit and status in the community (Douglass 10). In particular, there was a part of people who considered slavery as necessary for society. Frederick Douglass shows the two sides of slavery from the point of view of the whole society and white people. In contrast, one can find multiple various and graphic descriptions of the violence that slavery entailed.
Two Sides of Slavery
The violence that destroys the romanticization of slavery can be divided into physical, sexual, and psychological. Masters used physical violence against enslaved Black people every day, and it happened regardless of a person’s age (Douglass 75). All enslaved people used to be victims of physical punishment and abuse. Sexual violence is described only in the context of women who have become the victims of their masters (Douglass 8). Moreover, it is possible to observe the psychological state of slaves since many people on such plantations knew nothing about themselves and did not understand who they were (Douglass 7). In this way, one can see the master’s way of destroying the personality of the enslaved Black person.
Conclusion
The work of Frederick Douglass destroys the basic myths about slavery created by white people. Such a book reveals various crimes that people committed and the conditions in which slaves had to survive. At the core of Douglass’ criticism is a religion that interpreted the Bible in a way convenient for society. In particular, the organization that idealized the concepts that brought much suffering to others is criticized.
Work Cited
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. Dover, 1845.