Introduction: the significant role of Douglass in the abolitionist movement
Frederick Douglass was an outstanding figure in the American history from the point of view of anti-slavery movement development. He was the first slave to be freed and to continue his fight for the rights of other slaves. His contribution has profound significance because of the unique experience of being both a slave and a free man. After being freed, Douglass turned to the anti-slavery movement leaders to become a part of it; it took him much time and effort to convince white leaders that he was able to speak with the calls for freedom, compassion and equality, but he finally achieved his aim of sowing that a former slave could also be an eloquent, intelligent public person. In case of Douglass, one can see how unfair the anti-slavery movement was in its core: even fighting for the rights of slaves, white Americans were not ready to accept the former slave in their team as they did not consider his literate enough. Douglass became a living example of all horrors that slaves experienced and the hard path they had to overcome on their way to liberty.
The book written by Douglass changed much in the perception of slavery
The book written by Douglass about the time he spent in slavery, about the pursuit of freedom was one of the first works of such kind. Slaves used to be numb, their voices were not heard because of their illiteracy and inability to speak publicly, which can be seen in the second edition of the second edition of his work Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself with the introduction by David W. Blight. But Douglass was a precursor of freedom movement – it is enough to analyze the way he appreciated knowledge and education, the meaning he attributed to it. In the story about Master Hugh’s wife who was the first to instruct him but then grew cruel and inhumane Douglass shows how precious education was for every human being and what threat to their dominance slaveholders saw in it:
“If I remained in a separate room any considerable length of time, I was sure to be suspected of having a book, and was at once called to give an account of myself. But this was too late – the first and never-to-be-retraced step had been taken. Teaching me the alphabet has been the “inch” given, I was not waiting only for the opportunity to “take the ell” (Douglass, p. 52).
Unlike many other slaves who later on represented their narratives to the public, Douglass did not rely so heavily on religion and did not put up with his destiny of a slave, trying to find a way out by peaceful means. Douglass had a rebellious character and fought not only for his freedom but for the freedom of his whole nation, which was clearly felt in his immutable remarks throughout the book. A very emotional passage is dedicated to the division of property upon Capt. Anthony’s death:
“Horses and men, cattle and women, pigs and children – all holding the same rank in the scale of social existence, and all subjected to the same narrow inspection, to ascertain their value in gold and silver – the only standard of worth applied by slaveholders to their slaves. Personality swallowed up in the sordid idea of property! Manhood lost in chattelhood!” (Douglass, p. 61).
Douglass was a strong personality with a firm character – he knew what he needed and wanted, pursuing his goals no matter what. He showed that the oppressed nation could also have leaders, inspirers and fighters who had the strength to change something and show how this could be achieved. His deeds and sufferings remained a resonant example of how African Americans lived, what they had to go through and how they could change it. The voice of Douglass became the reflection of silent horror experienced by thousands of people every day.
Conclusion: the rise of abolitionist movement was highly aided by such activists as Douglass and changed the vision of slaves as dependent and illiterate people
Summing everything that has been said up, one can understand that Douglass represented a slave of a new generation – the one who did not obey the rules and who did not put up with being a slave. He recognized the importance of education, thirst for which pursued him throughout his life, and managed to put the words of truth, justice and pursuit of freedom to the ears of white and black Americans. His contribution to the abolitionist movement can hardly be exaggerated due to his active effort in public speaking, writing etc. Douglass marked the era of fight for freedom not only from the side of white abolitionist community, but from the inside of the slave community, which in itself was a breakthrough that brought clear understanding that freedom from exploitation was inevitably approaching.