Free 'the Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave' Essay Sample

At the beginning of the book, Douglas talks about his early life. He tells of his parentage of whom he knew very little about. He did not have an idea of his birthday or the man who was his father though it was whispered that he could be the son of his master. Douglas was separated from his mother at an early age just like other slave children. His mother's love for him made travel by night just to spend some time with him. 'She made her journeys to see me in the night, travelling the whole distance on foot, after the performance of her day's work.'
The loss of his mother's love as a baby is the strongest appeal he uses. Children need parental love and care when they are young. The women who cared for the children after they were separated from their parents were old and therefore not in a position to offer the best care for them. The love demonstrated by his mother as she travelled by night to be with him is the strongest appeal used in the passage. It is effective because everyone has unique connections with their parents or the people who cared for them.
Being denied the love of his parents is the strongest appeal in the passage. He only saw his mother in the night. 'I do not recollect of ever seeing my mother by the light of day.' Apart from the night visits, communication between him and his mother barely existed. He was informed of her demise long after it happened. Even when she died, he could not be allowed to be with her or attend her burial. Her death had no more impact on him than that of a total stranger. 'I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the passing of a stranger.'
The appeal is quite effective in that it touches the lives of children who are denied the love of their parents. The sacrifice made by the mother to visit her son shows how strong motherly love is for their children.