Frederick Douglassand the Slave Narrative

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

• First published in 1845; again in 1847

• Then again, under different title in 1855

• Reprinted in 1881 and 1892

• Our text based upon 1847 edition

• Fits into the genre of the slave narrative

Slave Narratives

• From 1760-1947, more than 200 book-length slave narratives published in U.S. and England

• More than 6,000 in all (some as short as a single page)• Earliest genre in which large numbers of black Americans

wrote

Writing and Humanity

• After Rene Descartes (1596-1650), reason valorized above all other human characteristics

• Europeans believed writing was a visible sign of ability to reason

• Believed blacks didn�t write, therefore couldn�t reason

David HumeFrom 1748 Essay, �Of National Characters�

�I am apt to suspect the negroes, and

in general all of the other species of

men (for there are 4 or 5 different

kinds) to be naturally inferior to the

whites. There never was a civilized

nation of any other complexion than

white, nor even any individual

eminent either in action or

speculation. No ingenious

manufactures amongst them, no arts, no sciences . . . Such a

uniform and constant difference

could not happen, in so many

countries and ages, if nature had

not made an original distinction

betwixt these breeds of men.�

Anti-Literacy Laws• Yet, blacks often forbidden legally to learn to

read and write.• 1740 South Carolina Statute:And whereas the having of slaves taught to write, or suffering them

to be employed in writing, may be attending with great inconveniences;

Be it enacted, that all and every person and persons whatsoever, who shall hereafter teach, or cause any slave or slaves to be taught to write, or shall use or employ any slave as a scribe in any manner of writing whatsoever, hereafter taught to write; every such person or persons shall, for every offense, forfeith the sum of one hundred pounds current money.

• So, slave narratives often a literal attempt by slaves to write themselves out of slavery

• Intent not just to persuade by horror of tales• Very act of writing itself an attempt to convince others

of their humanity

Characteristics of Slave Narratives

• Usually highly formulaic accounts of the journey from slavery to freedom

• Framed by prefaces, testimonials, and postscripts written by white abolitionists and editors

Garrison and Phillips

William Lloyd Garrison, Founder of the Liberator

Wendell PhillipsWell-known Boston abolitionist

Characteristics of Slave Narratives, cont.

• Most contain detailed descriptions of whippings, slave auctions, and other instances of slaveholders�cruelty

Characteristics of Slave Narratives, cont.

• Path to freedom marked by acquisition of literacy

Characteristics of Slave Narratives, cont.

• Most include a scene depicting physical mastery over the slaveholder or overseer

Characteristics of Slave Narratives, cont.

• They depict the solitary journey North of the escaped slave

Characteristics of Slave Narratives, cont.

• Most pre-Civil War slave narratives emphasized traditional Christian religious ideas