Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Frederick Douglass

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Frederick Douglass Synthesis Paper In an autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave by Frederick Douglass, the author argues that no one can be enslaved if she or he has the ability to read, write, or think. Douglass supports his claim by explaining the experience of himself acquiring knowledge to become an independent and intelligent free man. The author’s purpose is to unravel the collective minds of all who support and oppose slavery in order to diminish the damage slavery has caused in hope of finding a more educational and free society. Based on evidence and personal experience, Douglass is writing for the help of those, the educated white men of high authority, with the ability to create change in our …show more content…

By using strong textual evidence from multiple sources, there is an argument that can be proven. The power of education in “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" is one of the most important themes in the entire work, but it is not a theme with a consistent meaning. Although Frederick Douglass understands that the only path to freedom, both for himself and fellow slaves, is through learning to read, write, and have an educational base to build on, he is at the same time disgusted with education because it causes him to understand the full extent of the horrors of slavery. At one point, Douglass states, “It [education] opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but offered no ladder upon which to get out." With this important quote, having examined the meaning and importance of education in “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass." Douglass explains his claim by providing more in depth idea of what it means to have education not only does it provide a path to freedom, but it also opens the eyes to the horrors around. This example which proves no one can be enslaved if she or he has the ability to read, write, or think only strengthens the

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