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Frederick Douglass Dehumanization Essay

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Frederick Douglass Dehumanization Essay
Dehumanization Essay

Have you ever wondered what is was like to be a slave? Slaves were dehumanized in many different ways such as, mentally, physically, and emotionally for example they were beaten often and kept ignorant by their masters.During slavery the master took away the slaves human characteristics such as community and love. In The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass shows how slaves were made to feel less than human through physical, mental, and emotional dehumanization.

As a slave you were beaten often and sometimes without reason. Mr. Gore said that “it is better than a dozen slaves are under the lash than the overseer to be convicted.(Douglass 13) Slaves with disorders were treated badly by their
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Frederick Douglass was one of the slaves that was able to live in the city where he had much more access to information. Frederick Douglass was lucky enough to have his master Mrs. Auld commence his education. However, when Mr. Auld found out he told her “if you give a nigger an inch he will take an ell”.(Douglass 20) This halted the learning of Frederick Douglass although, his want to learn did not languish. Douglass found a book called “The columbian Orator” this book discusses a dialogue between a slave and its master on why he should be free.(Douglass 23) If it wasn’t for Douglass living in the city he might not have learned how to read. He would make friends with little white boys and use them as teachers.(Douglass 23) Douglass had heard the word abolition very often and wanted to know what it was. In the city were newspapers. In one of these newspaper Douglass found a petition for the abolition of slavery and from there he understood and listened closely when the word was said.

Slaves were dehumanized emotionally by being separated from their mother In conclusion, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass demonstrates how slaves were dehumanized physically, mentally, and emotionally. In some places children or people in general do not get the education needed. Just like the slave there is a sense of ignorance because they do not have all the information they need. Without this information they are in a way trapped

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