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Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And Fahrenheit 451

Decent Essays

Slavery of the Mind and Body
Humanity haunts humans. The daunting concept proves difficult to define. Science may delve into the depths of our bodies, how they work, why they can work. Scientists can pick apart our DNA or describe the way our brains function. Philosophy and Literature know the question of what makes us human to have a far deeper context. Writers comment on our morality, our emotional depths, our flaws and foibles. Humble, they rarely claim to know the true markings of humanity. They only express what they see and what they believe. They conjure stories or document realities that ultimately serve to comment on the human condition. The works, The Narrative Life of Fredrick Douglas and Fahrenheit 451, depict superficially different …show more content…

Douglas describes Sophia Auld’s change “under the influence of slavery” her “cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery… soon became red with rage” her “voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that [her] angelic face gave place to that of a demon” (Douglas 78). Despite her good nature, his mistress succumbed to the power that came with being a slave owner. One’s nature may play a part in his disposition, but who one actually becomes depends on his or her temptations and environment. Bradbury conveys this through the mindless culture of his world that “nips most of them,” “the queer ones” who are “exceptionally bright” and think for themselves, “in the bud.” Simply exposure to the school environment suppresses the intelligence and curiosity in children and them empty, pleasure driven drones. They are corrupted by their society, not necessarily by their own disposition. Thus both authors show In summation, Douglas and Bradbury similarly express the importance of one’s environment and situation to their his or her

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