Impacts of Enslavement Explained by Frederick Douglass

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Impacts of Enslavement Explained by Frederick Douglass A slave by the name of Frederick Douglass describes his account of enslavement from his early childhood to his traitorous escape. The reprobate and irresponsible power that slaveholders command over their slaves has a pernicious effect on the master’s intellect. Although both parties suffer psychological trauma, the slaves alone endure extreme physical brutality. Some masters indirectly allow their slaves too many opportunities to idealize freedom, therefore, spoiling them. Frederick Douglass exemplifies the will to be independent through rebellious and spontaneous behavior that drives his quest for literacy. Mental and physical abuse catalyzes Douglass’s will to escape to the North and overcome the shackles of slavery. In order to achieve the task of regulating their slaves, severe authority is required by the slaveholders. Douglass cites slaveholder’s corruption. Mr. Gore, one of Douglass’s early masters, is described as, “The most dreaded by slaves… his presence was painful; his eye flashed confusion; and seldom was his sharp, shrill voice heard, without producing horror and trembling in their ranks” (Douglass, 38). Douglass includes his account of Demby’s execution to illustrate the cruelty of slaveholders. Gore is not convicted of any murder since slaves are considered property. Frederick observes, “Mr. Gore then, without consultation or deliberation with any one, not even giving Demby an additional call, raised his musket to his face, taking deadly aim to the standing victim, and in an instant poor Demby was no more” (Douglass, 39). Slaveholders remain emotionless in their treatment of the slaves. Their brutal discipline is required because the slaves are important to slaveholders’ financial success. When a slave becomes unfocused, it puts a master at risk economically. Through biblical
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