Narrative of Fredrick Douglass

One passage that stuck out to me in reading this Narrative was on page 52 when Covey goes to fetch multiple switches to beat Douglass with, "He then went to large gum-tree, and with his axe cut three large switches, and, after trimming them up nearly with his pocket-knife, he ordered me to take my clothes off". This section took me back to a time when I would go down south to Georgia to visit my family on my dad's side. When my siblings, cousins or I acted out we were sent to the backyard to get a switch that would soon get taken to our behinds for 2 lashes. I never really thought about it at the time (being that I was younger than 10 years old) but coming across this passage made me question why my family still uses switches for punishment. The relation of a switch goes back to slavery as it was a common form of punishment. Being that I am half black and my relatives on my dad's side are full black, I am puzzled as to why they would continue to use a switch as it symbolizes a brutal historical punishment that our ancestors had first-hand experience of being slaves.


The definition of humanity is significantly eliminated throughout the course of this Narrative. African American’s are excluded from being considered human with their contribution remaining only for slave work. Douglass calls to attention various instances that more so question White American’s being human. With vivid illustration he shows the ability for slave master Gore to contain no shame in killing and severely injuring slaves, “A thrill of horror flashed through every soul upon the plantation, excepting Mr. Gore. He alone stood cool and collected” (20). Since slaves had no rights, this massive murder of Demby went unannounced to the judicial court marking not only the insanity of getting away with murder but the poor human like characteristics of Gore. The slave masters rightfully give a bad name to what humanity stands for.



1) Throughout Douglass’ encounters with various slave masters why were slaves punished so severely? Do you think the threat of slaves becoming powerful/educated play a role in this punishment?



2) Why might people in the south still use switches to discipline their children?



3) What are some examples of the immoralities of slavery that did not involve physical cruelty? What is the significance in Douglass vividly illustrating these slave abuse themes?