Frederick Douglass Compare And Contrast Essay

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Compare and Contrast “For it's not light that is needed, but fire; it's not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind and the earthquake in our hearts.”- Frederick Douglass. Throughout both of these tragic stories both had the will to rise above. Throughout all the pain; still, they rose. Slavery and punishment are central themes that are similar in both Slave Girl in California and , The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. However, there are very opposing themes such as family and government as well that jumped out to me in both. A theme that really caught my eye in the two of these books was slavery. Slavery is obviously evident throughout these two books because both were forced to work against their will, and treated horribly. In Douglass’s book he states “ the white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege.” Douglass shows us that sometimes it takes a child to see the things we are …show more content…
Punishment is represented throughout both of these stories because of the beatings and verbal abuse, often received throughout the course of being a slave. In douglass’s book he says “I have often been awakened at the dawn of day by the most heart-rending shrieks of an own aunt of mine, whom he used to tie up to a joist, and whip upon her naked back till she was literally covered with blood.” Unfortunately, this was Aunt Hester, Douglass’s aunt form of “punishment” for seeing a boyfriend that their Master didn't want her to see because he took a liking to Aunt Hester. Her beating was beyond uncalled for. However, that was “punishment” and sadly, this was nothing new. Moving on to The Slave Girl she has had her fair amounts of punishment also. In the article it quotes “she tossed her own clothes into the washing machine. When Motelib found out she slapped her.” Honestly, the quote speaks for itself Shyima was punished for nothing at all, for wanting to