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How Does Frederick Douglass Present The Northern Audience

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Through Frederick Douglass’ ability to read and write, he gains disapproval for slavery and motivation to escape. Frederick holds an immense amount of influence after his escape because he is educated. His real-life experiences as a slave can be magnified and projected to the world through his writing. His knowledge of slavery can address the Southern or Northern audience. By addressing the Southern audience, Frederick could try to convince slave owners who may change their thoughts about slavery after hearing his story and the harmful effects of some of the cruelest slave owners. By addressing the Northern audience, Frederick could gain the support of the free Northerners to grow the abolitionist movement. In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick …show more content…

Frederick loses all freedom during his work because Master Hugh ultimately determines where Frederick can and cannot work. In addition, Master Hugh takes a portion of the money he earns. In the South, Frederick’s slave owners take advantage of his work, and his other workers treat him poorly. Frederick negatively depicts the Southern audience because he shows that they do not work for profit. Their benefit comes from the work of slaves, instead of their work. In his writing, Frederick compares this experience to work in the North. While in New Bedford, Frederick wants to see the ship, so he travels to the wharves. He says, “I saw no whipping of men; but all seemed to go smoothly. Everyman appeared to understand his work, and went at it with a sober, yet cheerful earnestness. “To me this looked exceedingly strange” (82). In addition, he describes his work in the North when he says, “It was the first work, the reward of which was to be entirely my own. I worked that day with a pleasure I had never experienced before” (83-84). The Northern audience can easily relate to the comparison of the shipping example because the shipping industry is important to the Northern

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