Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slav
Slavery has been present in society throughout history. Since the beginning of time slaves have been dehumanized and treated as property. Owners used the slave’s ignorance as a tool against them to convince them that they would be unhappy with freedom and therefore should be content with their current lifestyles. However, some slave became self-educated, like Fredrick Douglass, and realized that there was something better than slavery for them. In Chapter Ten, Fredrick Douglass realized that if he wanted to change his lifestyle, he would have to take the situation into his own hands. As Chapter Ten opens, Fredrick Douglass is about the age of sixteen when he is sent to Mr. Covey, a renowned “Negro breaker” in January of 1833. Covey is unlike any other master Douglass has had in the past. He often works in the fields with the slaves, and sneaks up on them to make sure they do not put out less effort when he is not around. The first six months were the hardest times Douglass ever spent as a slave. Work, exhaustion, and Covey’s freque
In August of 1833, something happened that had never happened to Douglass before. He collapsed from fatigue while working in the fields. When Mr. Covey found Douglass, he beat him with a plank until Douglass had blood pouring from his head. Douglass decides to walk to Auld’s to complain about Covey, but Auld will hear nothing of it and sends Douglass back to Covey’s. On his return to Covey’s, Douglass meets a slave by the name of Sandy Jenkins, who advises him to carry a root that will supposedly save him from white men’s beatings. Upon Douglass’ return Covey speaks kindly to him, but the next day Covey attacks Douglass. Suddenly Douglass procures the will to fight back. Covey is overwhelmed by what is happening. During the two hour fight, Douglass explains to Covey that he will no longer be treated like an animal. Therefore, Covey never lays a finger on Douglass again. Douglass was indeed “broken” by Mr. Covey but not in the sense that made Mr. Covey famous. Douglass has now regained the hope of freedom and is no longer an ig
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Approximate Word count = 705
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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