The inequality that is created by the institution
of slavery can not only be degrading to those people who are enslaved in such a
cruel and unjust system, but it can also have a negative affect on the people
who enslave others. In Frederick Douglass’ book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, he
is able to display the degrading affect of slavery not only on the slaves but
also on the enslavers. Douglass as well as his owners feel these affects
through out the narrative of his life as a slave who achieves his freedom from
slave to man.
Through out Frederick Douglass’ childhood,
there are a lot of instances where he is subject to terrible abuse and
degrading behavior against him. As a youth he learned his first lesson about
slavery when he sees the severe whipping that his Aunt Hester receives from
their overseer Mr. Plummer. Douglass’ “entrance into the hell of slavery” was
marked by this “horrible exhibition” that took place in front of his own eyes
and the bloody spectacle that took place had a profound effect upon him
(Douglass 51). This was the start of what was to come through out the beginning
of his life. As he continues his journey as a slave he has more gruesome
experiences that are intended to breakdown the slaves both mentally and
physically.
One main example that Frederick
Douglass used to show the dehumanization and the negative effects of slavery on
people were with Mrs. Sophia Auld and her change in attitude towards Douglass
before and after her inception into the world of slavery. When Douglass first
is sent to Baltimore Frederick
Another person who experienced the
effects that slavery had upon the enslavers was Mr. Gore. Mr. Gore was the new
overseer for Colonel Lloyd as the previous one “lacked the necessary severity”
(65). Mr. Gore on the other hand did suit Lloyd’s preference as an overseer. He
was a “grave man” who ruled over the slaves with a firm hand and whip. I think
that one thing that shows that Mr. Gore was a cruel and inhumane overseer was
when he shot Demby in the lake (66). Gore, as a cold hearted person, was
unaffected by the result of his shooting of Demby as Douglass said that “A
thrill of horror flashed through very soul upon the plantation, excepting Mr.
Gore.” (67). With the task of degrading and controlling other humans as a slave
overseer, Mr. Gore became unaffected by the mere fact that he killed a man and
I think that his job dehumanized him.
Slavery was an institution that
degraded the slaves and put them into a position of submission to the white
slave owners. This broke down the slaves both physically and mentally. But it
also broke down people who were doing the enslaving. Sophia Auld was a sweet
and kind woman previous to her acquiring a slave and having power over him and
Mr. Gore as a brutal slave overseer became immune to such terrible behavior
that he was committing. Slavery ruined not only blacks, but white slave owners
as well.
Kyle I also wrote my blog on the effects of slavery on blacks and whites. I really like the point about Mrs. Auld where she went from a nice women who never owned a slave in her life to a women who becomes cruel and starts to fit into the stereotypical slave owner. It is sad how slavery affected those who had not been part of it but were thrown right into it. Slavery was dehumanizing on both sides of the spectrum. I always found it ironic how most slave owners where Christian people and how they can go to church on Sunday’s yet every other day of the week they are beating other human biengs and forcing them to do hard labor. I really like the point that you brought up about Mr. Gore going up and shooting Demby in the lake and feeling no remorse at all. To kill another human and not feel any remorse is pretty dehumanizing. The way Mr. Gore killed Demby is the same as if he killed an animal. Slavery is a dark pass for the human race and I agree with you when you say “Slavery ruined not only blacks, but white slave owners as well.”
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add on more about how by dehumanizing the slaves Mr. Gore would also dehumanize himself. By treating the slaves as animal he became an animal himself. Douglas explains, “he dealt sparingly with his words, and bountifully with his whip” (Douglas 66). This is saying that Gore would always resort to violence before he would ever resort to using words. When in a conflict, humans will always try to talk it out before resorting to violence. While on the other hand, animals will always instantly resort to violence. When animals attack another animal they do so because they are protecting themselves and they do it with no fear. Douglas says that, “when he whipped, he seemed to do so from a sense of duty, and feared no consequences” (66). This shows when Gore whips a slave, or even kills one; he believes that there should be no penalties for doing so because he believes the slaves aren’t even human. While if he were to assault someone else like he did the slaves he would be convicted and thrown in jail, most likely. In result, when Mr. Gore treats the slaves like animals, he then becomes and animal himself.
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