Overview
Frederick Douglass has become a character of many historical books, but David Walker has found a new approach to this tragic and inspiring topic. Walker’s prose is interactive and adorned with plenty of illustrations, allowing the readers to immerse in Douglass’ story. The illustrations are shocking, forcing the reader to plunge into the oppressive atmosphere of the hardships of slavery. Douglass’ life, as well as Walker’s book, can be roughly divided into several chapters, each being important for revealing the importance of this historical figure.
Early Life in Enslavement: Separation from his mother and experienced abuse solidified Douglass’ character. From early childhood, he understood and felt the injustice of slavery and the dependent position of some people over others. The accumulated childhood memories of cruelty and violence hardened his character and gave strength to further struggle.
A. Walker, Ch. 1-3: The description of Douglass’ childhood and adolescence is striking in its realistic cruelty, the author accompanies the description with appropriate illustrations. The most tragic scene is the break with his mother, who was one of the key figures in the life of future activist. His mother gave him the strength to win, and here all the further struggle of Douglass is implied (Walker 19). The owners of Douglass played a significant role in his fate, some showed cruelty, others allowed to live more freely.
B: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Douglass’ autobiography is written in simple and accessible language and presents the truth about his life without embellishment in chronological order. Mother became one of the key examples for Douglass of the horror of the dependent position of slaves. The boy felt the loss bitterly, despite the fact that he lost his mother before he realized her importance (Douglass 2). Despite the fact that conditions differed in various places of his life, even during periods when a teenager was allowed a little more freedom, he did not stop dreaming of freedom.
Way to Freedom: Douglass attends a religious gathering outside of his free-roaming zone, the resulting discontent fueling Douglass’ forces to escape. Through complex manipulation, Douglass manages to escape and start earning money as a free man, he changes his name to what will forever be enshrined in the history of the fight against slavery.
A. Walker, Ch. 4-6: Douglass’ escape with dressing up as a sailor is described in a very action-packed way, immersing the reader in feelings for the success of the whole adventure. The courage and determination of Douglass allowed him to avoid threats and remain uncaught. This stage is the most important in his self-awareness of a fighter for freedom, since he does not stop there, but is going to help other people who find themselves in an enslaved position.
B: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Douglass emphasizes the incredible tension of preparing for the escape. Every day the anxiety grew, and Douglass had to prove in detail, first of all, to himself the success and necessity of the undertaking (Douglass 75). With surprising ease, Douglass’ feelings are described when he managed to feel safe. He gladly took on any possible job, because it provided an opportunity to earn a living on his own. This is another example of Douglass’ incredible courage and resilience.
Fight Against Slavery: Douglass meets like-minded people who inspire him to continue the fight against slavery, he travels and promotes the importance of the fight and publishes his first autobiography and enters politics. Douglass meets with Abraham Lincoln to discuss the status of enslaved people.
A: Walker, Ch. 7-8: In these chapters, Douglass appears as a flamboyant public figure who intends to end slavery. The adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865 marked the beginning of a long journey of emancipation, and Douglass, who personally interacted with Lincoln, made a significant contribution to this event (Walker 15). As a person who personally experienced the horrors of slavery, Douglass is described as a strong personality, for whom the struggle does not end with his own liberation.
B: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: One of Douglass’ most striking achievements is the creation of an autobiography that proves his determination to challenge the established canons of society. Douglass creates his first work, trying to dispel doubts, prove his literacy and enlighten society about the horrors of slavery (Douglass 12). He does not reflect on his contribution to the social movement in this work, but acts as a biographer who intends to emphasize the importance of abandoning the slave system.
Later Years: In later years, Douglass has not retired from social and political affairs, he continued to engage in activism, advising young public figures. Douglass has held important government positions and has been active in destroying stereotypes about African Americans.
A: Walker, Ch. 9: At the end of the book, Douglass appears as a wise man who has not lost his fuse and passion for social activism. Until the last days of his life, Douglass remained committed to his ideas about the need for equality in the United States. Despite his age, he continued to fight the system and prove his incredible courage, despite all the condemnations.
B: Life and Times of Frederick Douglass: The years of political struggle are touched upon most fully in Douglass’ last autobiography. In this book, the author again emphasizes his desire to establish justice, despite the unpreparedness of society for radical change (Douglass). The struggle for the rights and freedoms of their people until the last day is an incredible example of selflessness and loyalty to the ideas of such an outstanding person as Frederick Douglass.
Works Cited
Douglass, Frederick. Life and Times of Frederick Douglass: His Early Life as a Slave, His
Escape from Bondage and His Complete Life Story. United States, E-Artnow, 2019.
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. United States, Lulu.com, 2019.
Walker, David F. The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave’s Journey
from Bondage to Freedom. United States, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed, 2019.