The life of Frederick Douglass- By Bree Martin

While reading the book "The narative of the life of Frederick Douglass" I have red about a black man named Frederick Douglass and what his life was like while growing up. Frederick Douglass was an American abolitionist or an anti-slavery campaigner, and was one of the most prominent figures in African American history. He was a firm believer in the equality of all people. He was fond of saying "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong". And he fufiled his saying as the book later explains. Frederick Douglass was born on Febuary 1818, in Talbot country, Maryland, U.S. He was born a slave. He was seperated from his mother (Harriet Bailey), when he was an infant, and then was brought to an old women's house (his grandmother), where she raised him as her own child. His mother was a black women, and his father to him was unknown. At the age of 6, Douglass was seperated from his grandmother and moved to another place to live and to serve. By the early 1800's he had served many people at a young age, ending up with a new keeper: Edward Covey. Mr. Covey was a slave "breaker" and Douglass's keeper for one year. Covey was the man that many slave owners sent their unruly slaves to. Douglass was sent to Covey because he was caught not working, by his master (Captain Anthony). This was a cruel fate for Douglass, because Covey punished him and made him work until he couldn't work anymore, and when he couldn't work Covey would kick him and beat him until he worked again. After one year pasted Douglass was free of Covey and continued to work for his old master: Captain Anthony (probaly Douglass's father). Even though Douglass was glad he didn't need to serve Mr. Covey no longer, he still disaproved of his master Captain Anthony. For his master beat Douglass's aunt, and was very cruel to him. Captain Anthony had 2 sons, and 1 daughter who was married to a man named Thomas Auld. They all lived together in a house on a central plantation owned by a man named Colonel Lloyd. Captain Anthony was a worker for Colonel Lloyd by supervising all of Lloyd's overseers (well he was before he died of old age). But before Captain Anthony died Douglass was selected to go to Baltimore to live and serve Hugh Auld. He served the Auld family with great respect, and was glad he left the plantation. As the months past Douglass was astounded by the strange kindness of a new mistress, Sophia Auld. Mrs. Auld had never owned a slave before, and at first seemed untouched by the evils of slavery. Yet, ater some time, she changed to be a cruel person. She at first began to teah Douglass literature, but then she stopped when her husband (Hugh Auld) realized what she was doing. For this period of time was an important part of Douglass's life, for even though he felt hurt inside, he then understood what he must do to win his freedom. Which was for him to become educated, and to teach other slaves of enlightenment, and literature. For he had noticed that slave owners gained and kept their power over their slaves by depriving slaves of sducation and ideas, and his plan for slaves to become educated would cause many slaves to become free. During Douglass's first several years in Baltimore he learned to read and write (privatley) and then returned to the plantation when hie old master: Captain Anthony died. He and other slaves owned by Captain Anthony were to be divided among his children. Douglass was sent to Lucretia ( Captain Anthony's daughter) and she decided to send him back to Baltimore. As we read on in the book it tells us how Douglass gained his place in history, and how he freed many slaves. Frederick Douglass died at the age of 77 in Washington, D.C.



My response:

My response to this book is a good one. I have enjoyed reading this book. It has taught me more about Black history, and what has happened in the past. The life of Freddrick Douglass was a depressing life at first. He like many other young black children had to work just because of their race. This part saddens me. I'm glad that America is no longer dependent on slaves. At the end of Freddrick Douglass's life is a good ending. He gets to be known of one of the most prominent figures in African American history,and became a world wide hero.