What Are The Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And Harriet Jacobs

Frederick Douglass & Harriet Jacobs Slavery has been noted as one of the biggest social issues in America. From the beginning of time, race has been seen as a barrier for some people despite their various attempts at equality none seem to yield any positive results. Frederick Douglas and Harriet Jacobs both have tried to be seen as equal to others but come up short due to the oppression of their skin color. But as a result of their power to not conform to being enslaved and treated like objects due to dehumanization is what leads them on their journey to becoming one of the few free slaves. “My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute.” This quote described how Douglas felt as being a slave. He felt as if his manhood had been taken away from him and that he was anything less than a human. Douglas had lost interest in the things he once loved such as education and knowledge. The physical, mental, and spiritual grasp of

One would think that slavery was worse for men but it was not according to Harriet Jacobs. “Slavery is terrible for men; but it is far more terrible for women. Superadded to the burden common to all, they have wrongs, and sufferings, and mortifications peculiarly their own.” Women were not only seen as slaves but as sexual objects that the masters felt like they were entitled to. They were expected to do work along with pleasure their masters needs if be. Jacobs (Linda) did not want to be forced into such encounters with her master, which caused her to strive so hard to put herself in the hands of another being. In the book Jacobs (Linda) went as far as to having children with the neighbor in hopes of trying to get her master to sell her