Primary Source Analysis Paper
Hist 17A
Read: Read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick
Douglass until page 50.
Write a 3-5 page paper answering the following questions:
1) What does the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave demonstrate
about slavery in America? After reading the narrative, did you find that it reaffirmed or
contradicted common perceptions of slavery? Please explain.
Helpful notes:
Make sure your introduction has a clear thesis (argument) that summarizes what you will be
discussing in the paper. Please make sure you have organized your paper using different
paragraphs. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that summarizes what you will
be arguing in the paragraph.
Requirements:
Write an essay that is 3-5 pages long in MLA format (12 pt font, Times New Roman,
double-spaced). You need a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Draw from class lectures AND the book. Please make sure you have spelled everything
correctly and have used proper grammar.
Do not plagiarize. This will result in receiving a 0 for this assignment.
You do not need a bibliography page but must use proper citation when quoting or using
examples from the book. For example,
Douglass states, “This establishment was under the care of two slaves—old Barney and young
Barney—father and son” (Douglass, 14).
Email me at lori.injejikian@evc.edu if you have any questions or want to discuss your paper
before turning it in.
The paper is due December 4 before midnight. Please submit your paper under the week 3
module where it says analytical paper.
Refer here for MLA guidelines:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/ml
a_general_format.html
http://www.citationmachine.net/mla/cite-a-website
Here is a link to the grading rubric I will be using to grade your papers:
http://users.ju.edu/jhingso/historygradingrubric.htm
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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass is an autobiography that details the life of Douglass as a slave in America. The narrative presents the brutal and dehumanizing nature of slavery in America and the harsh realities that slaves had to endure. This paper argues that the narrative reaffirms the common perceptions of slavery in America and demonstrates the inhumane treatment of slaves.
The Nature of Slavery:
The narrative demonstrates the cruel and inhumane treatment of slaves in America. Slaves were treated as property, with no rights or freedoms, and were subjected to brutal physical and emotional abuse. Douglass describes how slaveholders would whip and beat slaves for the slightest infraction, and how they would be forced to work long hours in harsh conditions. For example, Douglass recounts how he was beaten by his master and how his mistress would torture him emotionally, which demonstrates the barbarity of slavery in America.
The Perception of Slavery:
The narrative reaffirms the common perceptions of slavery in America. The portrayal of slavery as a brutal and dehumanizing institution is consistent with the view of slavery that is held by most people. The narrative exposes the harsh realities of slavery that were hidden from the public, and it challenges the myth of the contented slave. Douglass argues that slavery was a corrupt and immoral institution that was based on the exploitation of human beings, and his narrative provides a powerful critique of slavery in America.
In conclusion, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass demonstrates the brutal and inhumane nature of slavery in America. The narrative reaffirms the common perceptions of slavery and exposes the harsh realities that slaves had to endure. Douglass provides a powerful critique of slavery in America, and his narrative challenges the myth of the contented slave. The narrative is a powerful reminder of the atrocities that were committed during slavery, and it serves as a testament to the courage and resilience of those who fought for their freedom.
