FREE

                    Chapter eleven 

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”  (chapter VI)

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

This book shows and narrates the life of a slave who was lucky to find freedom. In the concluding chapter, Frederick states that his thoughts had become actions, and his dream a reality. His first attempt of freedom was to buy his freedom. He was allowed all his time, he was able to work and find his own employment. Any how, in return to this liberty he had to pay his master almost all the income (page 93). This method of liberty Douglass experienced was short. It came to an end one day when his master, angrily questioned Douglass, and demanded an answer from Douglass caused y his incomprehensible actions. How did he "dare go out of the city without permission" (page 95) and commanded him to "hire his time no longer" (page 94). This created disappointment and rage in Douglass and was when he decided that the next thing he would do was to run away. He worked "steadily to remove suspicion of intent to run away" (page 95). Douglass fulfills his dream. He becomes a free man and gets married. Unfortunately, Douglass doesn't include a narration of the process of his escape. He states he would not like to give any information that could harm further plans of escape to the North for people that still remained in slavery.

Frederick Douglass shows us how the North and South contrast: "everything looked clean, new, and beautiful". According to Douglass, the North was incomparable to the South, it was semi-perfect, and he referred to the people too: "I was a stranger, and he took me in" (page 100). Nathan Jhonson , a man who was religious caring and made Douglass grateful. As Douglass states, he received him in his home, gave him shelter, food and care, something that wouldn't happen often in the south.

This book shows life from the point of view of a slave, rather than a slave holder, and how freedom is the only need everyone deserves.