The Slave Narrative PPT Douglass introduction.ppt

This is a ppt on Frederic Douglass and his narrative.

1. Notes: The Slave
Narrative
Overview

2. The Slave Narrative
Definition and Purpose
Themes
Frederick Douglass,
Narrative of the Life of
Frederick Douglass

3. Defining Slave Narratives
Slave narratives can be
defined as the personal
experiences of slaves
before and after the
Civil War (1865)
Generally they include the
experiences of African-
Americans who have
escaped from slavery

4. Purpose of Slave Narratives
Attempted to arouse sympathy of readers in
order to promote humanitarianism
Emphasized traditional Christian religious
ideas
Showed acceptance of the ideals of dominant
whites
Emphasized the cruelty of slave owners
Targeted white audiences

5. Timeline of Slave Narratives
Loss of Innocence: Awareness of what it
means to be a slave
Realization of alternatives to bondage: The
determination to be free
The Escape
Freedom Obtained

6. Themes/Motifs
Exposure to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse
Dehumanization: Comparison of slaves to other
forms of life (ex. Cattle, pigs)
Determination to write and read
Vignettes of other characters succeeding and failing
Includes the loss of family members and the
destruction of family ties

7. Frederick Douglass
Life as a Slave
Awareness and
Education
Escape
Activism

8. Life as a Slave
Douglass’s narrative appeals to the human
emotion (PATHOS) in his descriptive account
of the slave experience.
Includes vivid descriptions of physical and
emotional abuse
Captures scenes of life on the plantation
Makes reference to the destruction of family
ties

9. Education/Awareness
Slaves were prevented from obtaining an
education
The awareness of education gave a slave
freedoms limited by society
Douglass’s education forced him to become
more aware of the limitations placed on him
by slavery

10. ESCAPE
Douglass’s frustration with
the slave system intensified
with his education
Douglass’s educational
knowledge contributed to
his desire to escape slavery
His awareness of the
freedoms that were taken
away from him contributed
to his desire to escape

11. ACTIVISM
After his escape, Douglass worked to abolish
slavery
Douglass published an abolitionist paper called
the North Star
He spoke publicly about the flaws of slavery
Worked for the Underground Railroad
Recruited soldiers for Civil War to fight for
equal treatment of blacks

12. Preface Questions
Why is Frederick Douglass nervous to speak in front
of the audience at the convention?
Who is Douglass compared to and what allusion
reference is being made?
Some people claim that Africans that were brought to
American were better off. This story reflects this
thought, but with a twist. What is the twist?
What is the purpose of this story? What is Garrison
trying to prove with this story?