Literary Elements in "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" (Essay Example)

Did you know that not only did he teach himself to read and write, but Frederick Douglass also taught many other enslaved people to become literate? These skills of his were a vital factor in establishing the intelligent and influential language used in his book and encouraging others on the path to abolitionism whilst giving a captivating look into his life. Through pathos, metaphors, and symbolism, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass offers a captivating look at his life and unique insight into the power of storytelling to benefit his antislavery argument and spread the abolitionist movement. 

To begin with, pathos is the foundation of most of Douglass’s narrative. It forms distinguished emotions and builds a personal connection with readers. To quote from his narrative, Douglass writes, “I have seen him tie up a lame young woman, and whip her with a heavy cowskin upon her naked shoulders, causing the warm red blood to drip; and, in justification of the bloody deed, he would quote this passage of Scripture— ‘He that knoweth his master’s will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.’” (Douglass 66). Hence, this evokes a sense of fear or disgust in the reader while reading the narrative. This supports the theme by using vivid imagery and emotional dialogue to convey the extremities of the situation he is witnessing. Another usage of this technique is here, when Douglass says, “I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. My natural elasticity was crushed, [and] my intellect languished …; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute” (Douglass 73). Without a doubt, this quote illustrates the toll enslavement and harsh treatment (both physical and mental) can take on a person. This shows the author’s purpose by giving the reader raw emotion and describing how it feels to have your mind broken and resolve lost, such is the experience of an enslaved person. 

Moving on, the author also utilizes symbolism to convey an interior and exterior meaning to a quote. Referring to the narrative, this shows one instance of symbolism, “Let us render the tyrant no aid; let us not hold the light by which he can trace the footprints of our flying brother” (Douglass 105). This quote tells us both the meaning of the base quote and what is beyond the quote. The light refers to seeing in the darkness, as well as the truth. Douglass’s flying brother means a brother in flight (escape). And the aid to the enslaver (tyrant) could be giving in to threats, so you should stay strong. This connects to the theme as Douglass is making a clever statement with two meanings ingrained. He has the power to choose his words and uses creative imagery to show what you can do to stand up against the tyrant. To quote from again, “At every gate through which we were to pass, we saw a watchman—at every ferry a guard—on every bridge a sentinel—and in every wood a patrol” (Douglass 91). In fact, this quote means that literally, there is a person watching their every move outside the sight of the enslaver, and figuratively. Douglass feels like no matter where he goes, there will always be suspicious eyes watching him, judging, generalizing. He will always be under that careful watch of the enslavers, while they wait for him to mess up, and then punish him unfairly. This expresses the theme by showing the mental scarring one can result from being enslaved and using it creatively so. He uses a clever symbol to represent this in watchmen, guards, and patrols. He feared this type of watchfulness could result in being “forever harassed with the frightful liability of being returned to enslavement—with the certainty of being treated tenfold worse than before,” (Douglass 91). 

Lastly, metaphorical quotes are more apparent in scenes of action. Metaphors are used to send messages through abstract language that could not be put as eloquently with words. One instance of a metaphor is here, when Douglass tells us that, “It rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom, and revived withing me a sense of my own manhood. … The gratification afforded by the triumph was a full compensation for whatever else might follow, even death itself. He can only understand the deep satisfaction which I experienced, who has himself repelled by force the bloody arm of slavery. … I now resolved that, however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed forever when I could be a slave in fact” (Douglass 81). This quote discusses the desperate hope and determination Douglass held on to throughout his narrative, and his dream, that would soon become a reality, of being free. This conveys theme by showing that a person enslaved like Douglass will grasp any and every remaining hope they have with a strong resolve. He comes to the realization that, once you have the mindset for it, you no longer must be enslaved. Your body will be the only remaining proof of your enslavement. The second quote collected expresses Douglass’s worries of being set free, as said here, “On the one hand, there stood slavery, a stern reality, glaring frightfully upon us, —Its robes already crimsoned with the blood of millions, even now feasting itself greedily upon our own flesh. On the other hand, away back in the dim distance, under the flickering light of the north star, behind some craggy hill or snow-covered mountain, stood a doubtful freedom—half frozen—beckoning us to come and share its hospitality” (Douglass 91). This example communicates the troubles on either side of the liberty spectrum for enslaved people (horrible torture vs. A life of unnecessary fear and unwarranted prejudice). This supports the theme by using storytelling techniques such as imagery and comparing enslavement and freedom to a crossroads with two paths ending in death and/or destruction of many, hence why emancipation needs to be normalized. 

After reviewing this information from Douglass’ narrative, it is clear the main theme was the power of storytelling, and how that was used, and will be used, to encourage others toward abolitionism using advanced literary techniques such as pathos, metaphors, and symbolism. This theme explains the connection between author and reader built throughout the narrative, the ways in which you can interpret a quote to your own understanding, and the philosophical yet moving speech Douglass presents to the audience. Therefore, an argument towards emancipation can be proposed through the telling of someone’s life and urges others to act.