Dominika Letková

AJ17051 African American History and Culture I

Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.

29 April 2021

                          Important Figures in Life of Frederick Douglass

            Relationships are foundation of people's lives from early childhood and they have a
great impact throughout the whole life. It was not different in the case of Frederick Douglass, a
former slave, abolitionist, significant writer and orator. In his work Narrative of the Life of
Frederick Douglass he describes his story from early childhood in slavery until his escape to the
North in his twenties. Even though Frederick Douglass was separated from his biological family,
there can be found parental figures as well as siblings throughout the novel that influenced
Frederick's life.

            To begin with, Frederick Douglass was a son of slave mother and probably his master
Captain Anthony. He was separated from her and spent first few years at his grandmother who was
responsible for upbringing and care of slaves' children. His mother, Harriet Baily, tried to keep
in touch with him, travelled at night to see him, however, he never thought of her as a maternal
figure: “Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and
watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have
probably felt at the death of a stranger” (Douglass 13).

            As a possible maternal figure in the life of Frederick Douglass can be considered
Sophia Auld. At Frederick's arrival to Baltimore, as his new mistress, she was “the woman of the
kindest heart and finest feelings” (26). She was the one who introduced him the world of letters
and words as she started to teach him how to read which had an important impact on his life. It
opened his eyes as he realized the reality of his position. However, through Sophia Auld, Frederick
Douglass shows in his Narrative the negative effect of slavery on the masters: “The fatal poison of
irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work. That cheerful
eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet
accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of
a demon” (26).

            Moreover, as other parental figures can be considered Mr. Ruggles who looked after
Douglass after his escape and helped him in difficult situation to start over in New York. He
helped him to arrange a wedding with Anna Murray and to leave for New Bedford. There was another
couple, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson who were abolitionists. They again helped the newly wed couple to
start over and live freely which can be considered as a parental act. When Frederick needed a new
name for life in New Bedford, he asked Mr. Johnson. These people had a great influence on Douglass
since they were on the beginning of his life as a free person.

            In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass can be found sibling figures, too. The
possible brothers of Douglass can be the little white boys who he befriended when in Baltimore in
order to learn how to write and practice reading. Gradually, they became close and had mutual
affection and sympathy for each other. It was these three little white boys that Douglass discussed
the matter of slavery with and showed his anxiety about his position at a young age. And as a
reaction to that, they would express their sympathy: “These words used to trouble them; they would
express for me the liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by
which I might be free” (29). Douglass even felt sorry when he was leaving behind these friendships
when moving to his new master.

            As another sibling figures can be recognized Douglass's fellow slaves, especially at
Mr. Freeland's. Douglass was teaching them at Sabbath school because they wanted to learn; and
through them, he showed the “mental darkness” and starvation for knowledge of slaves. They were all
very close as they shared the same condition: “We were linked and interlinked with each other. I
loved them with a love stronger than anything I have experienced since” (49). Together they planned
an escape for a better life in the North.

            All things considered, in spite of separation from his biological parents, Frederick
Douglass was able to meet other parental figures in his life who had deeply influenced him. One of
them was his mistress, Sophia Auld who helped Douglass to learn how to read with a great kindness.
However, slavery changed her into cold and cruel slave mistress. Other possible parental figures
can be found at the beginning of his new, free life in the North. Mr. Ruggles and the Johnsons were
the important support for Douglass as they helped him to build his life as a free person. Douglass
describes important friendships which he cultivated at first as a little boy in Baltimore and then
later as a young man at Mr. Freeland's. These friendships can be related to relationship of
siblings. As can be seen, all these relationships affected him deeply and without them, he would
not be the man he was.



                                            Works Cited

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Antislavery office, Boston, 1845.