Reaction Essay On "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass"

The “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” is structured in a way that has an effect not just on the people of the author’s time, but even people now. Douglass’ choice of diction is powerful, firm, and to the point. He finds unique ways to make the book relatable to a wide variety of audience. He writes, “Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears” (Chapter 2). This quote influenced me the most because of my love for music. I relate the word music with everything positive. I consider music my safe haven from stress. I don’t think I could ever relate music with sadness and sorrow. Reading that slaves related music with sadness just seemed so foreign to me. To someone who can’t imagine life without music, I think this reveals the true nature of the brutality and injustice of slavery. This quote hit me the hardest because before reading this book, I knew how horrible slavery was; however, I didn’t realize that everyday things that I associate with happiness were things that the slaves associated with sadness. This quote related to me on a more personal level and I think that this was the sole goal for Douglass. He wrote in a way that related this tragedy to everybody, no matter what their life story was. Because one way or another, we all share something.