1. Notes: The Slave Narrative
Overview

2. The Slave Narrative Definition and Purpose Themes
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

3. Defining Slave Narratives
Slave narratives can be defined as the personal experiences of slaves before and after the Civil War (1865)
Generally they include the experiences of African-Americans who have escaped from slavery

4. Purpose of Slave Narratives
Attempted to arouse sympathy of readers in order to promote humanitarianism
Emphasized traditional Christian religious ideas
Showed acceptance of the ideals of dominant whites
Emphasized the cruelty of slave owners
Targeted white audiences

5. Timeline of Slave Narratives
Loss of Innocence: Awareness of what it means to be a slave
Realization of alternatives to bondage: The determination to be free
The Escape
Freedom Obtained

6. Themes/Motifs Exposure to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
Dehumanization: Comparison of slaves to other forms of life (ex. Cattle, pigs)
Determination to write and read
Vignettes of other characters succeeding and failing
Includes the loss of family members and the destruction of family ties

7. Frederick Douglass Life as a Slave Awareness and Education Escape
Activism

8. Life as a Slave
Douglass’s narrative appeals to the human emotion (PATHOS) in his descriptive account of the slave experience.
Includes vivid descriptions of physical and emotional abuse
Captures scenes of life on the plantation
Makes reference to the destruction of family ties

9. Education/Awareness Slaves were prevented from obtaining an education
The awareness of education gave a slave freedoms limited by society
Douglass’s education forced him to become more aware of the limitations placed on him by slavery

10. ESCAPE
Douglass’s frustration with the slave system intensified with his education
Douglass’s educational knowledge contributed to his desire to escape slavery
His awareness of the freedoms that were taken away from him contributed to his desire to escape

11. ACTIVISM After his escape, Douglass worked to abolish slavery
Douglass published an abolitionist paper called the North Star
He spoke publicly about the flaws of slavery
Worked for the Underground Railroad
Recruited soldiers for Civil War to fight for equal treatment of blacks

12. Preface Questions
Why is Frederick Douglass nervous to speak in front of the audience at the convention?
Who is Douglass compared to and what allusion reference is being made?
Some people claim that Africans that were brought to American were better off. This story reflects this thought, but with a twist. What is the twist?
What is the purpose of this story? What is Garrison trying to prove with this story?