An Unintentionally Persuasive Perspective

            Point of view is particularly significant in any piece of literature. The perspective from which the story is told will indeed determine the interpretation made by the reader. Our conclusions of specific readings become a subconscious result of the beliefs of the writer; the author is, after all, the individual that is planting the idea in our minds. In his Narrative, Frederick Douglass relays his experience as a man held captive by slavery. He does not pity himself, or even repent his life as a slave. Because Douglass does not write of his life as an attempt to achieve sympathy, his writing consequently leads the reader to feel sympathy for the situation of a slave. Therefore, the writing style of Douglass is indeed quite brilliant. Through relaying his story point blank, without the unnecessary explanations and additional emotional turmoil, Douglass narrates his life in a way that wins over his readers.

            As his narration begins, Douglass explains, “I received my first impressions of slavery on this plantation, I will give some description of it, and of slavery as it there existed” (53). Douglass’ initial introduction to his portrayal of slavery is a direct and rather blunt telling; he does not sugar coat what he intends to say. As he proceeds with his story, Douglass relays the experience of the slaves as they happened, void of any attempt to gain pity from the reader. “Mr. Gore then, without consultation or deliberation with any one … raised his musket to his face … and Demby was no more” (67) and, indeed, Douglass could not have relayed this more plainly. However, it is exactly this form of telling that gains the sympathy of the readers. Because it appears to the reader that in Douglass’ perspective this behavior and its resulting actions were a natural part of slavery, it makes the brutal killing that much more vile.

            Clearly, Douglass was not searching to win anyone over; he did not write his narrative with the objective of gaining anything. It appears, however, that he was working to challenge his readers’ perspectives on the ongoing issue of slavery. Because his writing style, author tone, and first person point of view were exceptionally blunt, Douglass certainly achieves a level of oneness with his reader. Though he does not seek sympathy, he attains it through honesty and direct storytelling. A determined leader of America, on a pursuit to achieve freedom, Frederick Douglass not only made an amazing and significant impact on our country’s history of slavery, but also on a minor individual that picked up his story.