Stowe and Douglasss Depiction of Slavery

Table of Contents

Introduction
Comparison of Arguments
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Slavery narratives are a large part of Americas history and cultural heritage. As the inevitable component of the countrys collective past, it has left a significant impact on art, literature, public discourse, and other areas of society. In this work, the messages of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Uncle Toms Cabin will be discussed. Both stories portray slavery as a reprehensible and immoral practice, one that taints the lives of both white and black people. However, the two works take up perspectives from two opposing sides, and only one of them is an account of a persons life.

Comparison of Arguments

The two narratives take up opposing perspectives while discussing slavery, with one creating a harsh but honest depiction of life, while the other opts for a more dramatized story with a clear narrative focus. Both Stowe and Douglasss stories are anti-slavery at heart, but while the latter retells his experiences as a black man, the former creates a narrative that follows a number of characters, both black and white.

Stowe creates sympathy for his characters by placing them in unfortunate circumstances, as well as elaborating on a variety of ways in which slavery hurts individual families. As seen with the slaves of the Shelby household, the ability of slave-owners to buy and sell other people perpetuates their inhuman treatment, separates families, and subjects groups of individuals to being seen as a commodity. The author goes to great lengths to humanize his characters in the eyes of the reader, as seen with Toms perseverance and discovery of faith and Elizas constant struggle to find a happier life.

On the other hand, Douglasss work takes a more personal angle, mostly following the life of a single person as they grow into becoming what they are today. The man describes his life, the people he-man, as well as the treatment he was subjected to. Recounting his childhood, he states, Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender, and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger. (Douglass and Dworkin).

The passage aptly highlights one of the more tragic consequences of slavery and serves to make an emotional impact on the readers. Additionally, the intentional ignorance motif plays an important role in the story, as it is the tool that is used to keep the slaves from rebelling, as well as to make white people perpetuate the cycle of racist treatment towards the black population. This story is largely cruel, as the audience can clearly learn about all of the injustices the man has gone through. Its existence itself is cemented as a statement against slavery, an account that goes into most of its horrors while still emerging as a rebellious tale.

Conclusion

At their core, both narratives are similar and different. While trying to reach the same goals, they present the question of slavery from different perspectives, calling to their audience and trying to make a meaningful impact on society. The current society has only managed to exist for so long by finding compromise, and this process of more important than ever in the global climate of the 21s century (Garðarsdóttir). Many marginalized voices are calling out to the larger society, speaking of their struggles and screaming for change. The inclusion and examination of works from different communities is an effective way to spread awareness of some of the less vocalized problems (Moledina).

To ensure that each and every person can lead a happier, more prosperous life in the future, it is necessary to listen to such accounts, read books, and analyze and discuss literature as a means of critical analysis.