Frederick Douglass Essay -- Biography

Frederick Douglasss Propaganda Behind the NarrativeFrederick Douglass, a firm believer in equality, was one of the most influential leaders of the abolitionist movement in America. An ex-slave, Douglass pushed for abolition and brought attention to the subject through his commanding speeches and his powerful publications. Among his writings Douglass published his archives Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave , which is thence one of his more famous pieces of work. Although seen as a simple autobiography of his life, the tale includes a strong abolitionist message that would aim to modification the northern audiences view on southern slaveholders. Douglass knew changing the norths view on the subject would create an anti=slavery majority, and with that bring abolition rase closer. Douglass apply his life falsehood as a disguised propaganda machination to promote and drive the abolition movement among northerners. Before Douglass begins his life s tory , the preface written by Wm. Lloyd Garrison, prepares the reader for the abolitionist message that is actually behind Douglasss Narrative. The preface focuses on Garrisons admiration for Douglass and his cause. He describes hearing Douglass talk for the first time and states I think I never detest so intensely as at that moment...(2065). Garrison also demonstrates how persuading and use to abolition Douglass is by writing ..if Mr. Douglass could be persuaded to consecrate his time and talents to the procession of the anti-slavery enterprise, a powerful impetus would be given to it, and a sensory blow..inflicted on northern prejudice against a colored complexion.(2066). To further be the abolition message within the text, Garrison asks ... ..., being separated from his mother, how the slaves were treat like animals, and the brutal punishments and killings without justice. Douglass also expected to place a lightlessness mark on southern slave holders by telling us ho w they had affairs with the slaves and used religion as sustainment for their actions. Using his narrative as a mask for his propaganda message, Frederick Douglass worked to betray his northern audience aroma distanced, and feel great anger towards the southern slave owners. The themes he used as propaganda family, foul treatment, cruel punishment, and the false use of religion, were all subjects that northerners held to their heart. Douglass understand this and realized if he demonstrated how the slave owners were contradicting those beloved values, he could make a great impact and recruit a large support for the abolition movement.