Douglass Freedom
...e effect it had on slaves during his time. Douglass writings focused on the effects slavery had on the slaves and slaveholders. For slaves, the effects were obvious. They suffered endless torture for an entire life. What is not so obvious is that slavery also had a negative effect on slaveholders. Douglass experienced this with one of his first slave holders. She was a very nice lady who helped educate him until her husband told her how dangerous it was to educate slaves. Her husband had said to her that “If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell” (Jacobus 128). This statement by the slave owner was very accurate and meant that an educated slave would no longer willingly obey his master and would be unmanageable. It would also hurt the slave with the knowledge he was given. The woman who was once so very nice to Douglass, was now very cruel towards him and the other slaves. This demonstrates how much power slavery had over a person and how it completely changed who they were. While it is very clear that knowledge was a very important part of Douglass’ success, there are parts in his writing that suggest that he is not entirely favorable of knowledge. The point Douglass makes is that knowledge gained by a slave during his time was something that could either help you or hurt you. In Douglass’ own experience, he says “I would feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing”(Jacabus 132). By learning to read, Douglass was exposed to a new world where he understood his future as a slave in America. He also says that knowledge “opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder to get out” (Jacobus 132). Once Douglass understood his true place in the world, there was no turning back. He had to accept his role as a slave who would most likely n...