Chapters 1-5 "The Life of Frederick Douglass"

The Life of Frederick Douglass begins with William Lloyd Garrison reflecting on his encounter with Frederick Douglass in Nantucket at an antislavery convention in 1841. As characterized by Garrison, we immediately see the bold and determined character of Frederick Douglass. Within the preface, it is evident through Garrison’s perspective that Douglass was a “a blessing to his race” as he constantly advocated for his fellow laborers and represented the voice of his people (viii). The narrative begins as Douglass reflects on his life and the adversity in that he faced throughout his lifetime; he has no idea of his age, and states that as a child he does not remember having a strong relationship with his mother. Throughout the first chapter, we can see the barbaric events that have shaped Frederick Douglass and his being. Following the next chapters, a dejected tone echoes, as words and reflections are made by Douglass. He reflects on slave owners such as: Mr. Severe, Colonel Lloyd, Mr. Austin Gore, and more. He states that: “The children unable to work in the field had neither shoes, stockings, jackets, nor trousers, given to them; their clothing consisted of two coarse linen shirts per year. When these failed them, they went naked until the next allowance-day” (6). Not only did slaves like Douglass face such harsh conditions, but he also watch the slaughtering of many of his loved ones. These barbaric events serve as a testament of the horrific times that Douglass encountered and grew up with. As chapter five commences, we see a change of tone in the story, as we read about Douglass’ depart from Lloyd’s farm and his settlement in Baltimore. Although the beginning of the book resembles sadness and hardship, chapter five was more promising, as more joy and hopefulness was resembled throughout the chapter.