... personal accounts of slavery are highlighted. These instances illustrate important realizations that Douglass makes concerning slavery, and/or about his own condition. The very first chapter of the novel produces the first example: loss of identity. Many slaves had absolutely no concept of time, in terms of factual dates. Slaves ... childhood simply through the use of dates. We identify ourselves by the dates, which surround the events of our lives. Part of our identity is formed from dates and this was a privilege he was denied. He is, however, provided with a general idea as to how old...

• Word Count: 884
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... 69) This powerful effect of slavery in dehumanizing both the slave and master is most apparent in Chapter VI, wherein Douglass describes his change of masters, from Colonel Lloyd to the Auld family in Baltimore. He describes how Mrs. Auld had had no previous contact with slavery prior to his arrival, and as such, ... In Douglass" words, "the fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work." (pg. 77) Douglass describes how slavery, while keeping him down, also causes her to abandon the initial qualities he had found surprisingly differe...

• Word Count: 1751
• Approx Pages: 7