F. Douglas And M.Rolands

Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan woman lived in American since childhood. Her matrimony to the Reverend Joseph Rowlandso

least” (Rowlandson 151). Mary recalls the luxuries that the New World has given her many gifts and that these are gifts to be cherished. Captivity does not present these gifts. These gifts are unknown and unspeakable in captivity. Douglass speaks of these unknown gifts when he recounts, “He was immediately chained and handcuffed; and thus, without a moment’s warning, he was snatched away, and forever sundered, from his family and friends, by a hand more unrelenting than death” (Douglass 1035). Douglass speaks of the disregard for family and humanity that slavery displays. A slave was viewed as a piece of property and granted no rights as a person. While in slavery, Douglass notes the disregard for human life and the withholding of basic human rights. His definitions of America during these times are of cruelty, disgust and America as a kidnapper. Douglass’ view of America is changed when he becomes free and acquires a job as a free man. He states, “It was the first work, the reward of which was to be entirely my own. I worked that day with a pleasure I had never before experienced. It was the starting-point of a new existence” (Douglass 1076) Douglass gives America a new chance and although his opinion does not change rapidly, the fact that it begins to change and start anew is of significant importance that America is a land of the free and for the people.

The definition of America encompassed many things to both, Mary Rowlandson and Frederick Douglass. Religion played an integral part of their stories during and after their captivity and enslavement. Mary viewed religion has her rock on which everything else was based. Douglass believed there were two types of religion presented in America and did not attribute religion to his quest for freedom. Douglass critiques religion and offers a direct and extensive explanation to why religion does not suit the black man in his pursuits. Rowlandson quotes many scriptures while in captivity and reads her bible when she is making sense out of the actions happening. She demonstrates this when she says, “They made a fire and put them both into it. The Children said she did not shed one tear, but prayed all the while” (Rowlandson 129) Mary shows that faith was a healing concept for the Puritans and that their strong faith would give them a heavenly reward. She also quotes scripture

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