Introduction
The narrative by Frederick Douglass presents an argument against slavery. The theme of the narrative revolves around this issue and to a large extent, Douglass seeks to portray the negative impact that slavery has to the development of the society. According to the narration, although the slaveholders thought they were benefiting from the practice, the real fact was that they were hurting themselves more than they thought.
Discussion
Douglass thinks slaveholding has a damaging effect to both the slaves and to the slave owners. He describes the slave owners as having irresponsible and corrupt power. This, he argued, had an effect that was detrimental to the moral health of the slave owners. It is because of this that Douglass depicts slavery as an unnatural practice for all the parties that are involved.
Douglas goes further to describe the behavior patterns of slave owners to explain how slavery had a damaging effect to them. In the narration, he establishes that slave owners were tempted to have affairs with the slaves and as a result, fathering children with the slaves. When this is the case, the slave owners were forced to punish or sell their own children. Sophia Auld is the perfect example of how slavery had a damaging effect.
Because of slavery, slave owners developed a pervasive way of viewing Christianity. This was a tactic used by slave owners in order for them to develop a blind approach to the sins they committed. Sophia transforms from an idealistic woman to a demon because of slavery. It is no doubt that Douglass sought to put forward an argument against slavery. For the general good of the society, Douglass argues, slavery should be outlawed. His argument is effective as it reveals the negative impacts slavery has on the society.
