The Autobiography of Frederick Douglass brought up an interesting idea concerning racial tensions in America. As you know, the book is an autobiography. It is a story of the man’s life and the events that occurred and helped shape who he was as an adult. While it would seem that this would provide for a very open, freeing book, circumstances still prevented Douglass from being completely vulnerable. For example, he chose not be share with his readers his escape methods for fear that other slaves may be caught. It just strikes me as ironic that a system that allowed a slave to move out of the horrible confines of slavery and into a life that allowed him to write his own book also placed constrains on him. While technically a free man, he was still subject to the fear, injustice, and inequality that surrounded the racial tensions of his day.
Frederick Douglass- Not Completely Free.
Apr 13th, 2011 by ksw2s
I agree. Freedom in a way wasn’t freedom because they had new fears that came with it.
I didnt think of constraints in that way. Good insight.
This is a really good point to bring up.
Good point. I think this is one of the assets of autobiography as a genre – readers can get a fuller understanding of a reality at a given time (not necessarily indicative of a system’s basic policies).
interesting post!