Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass · Chapter
Chapter VI explained
Douglass describes his life in Baltimore with the Aulds, contrasting city slavery with plantation slavery.
What happens
Douglass describes his life in Baltimore with the Aulds, contrasting city slavery with plantation slavery. He recounts how Mrs. Sophia Auld initially taught him the alphabet, but Mr. Hugh Auld forbade it, arguing that learning would make him unfit for slavery. This opposition paradoxically inspired Douglass to pursue literacy with greater determination. He also details the brutal treatment of slaves by Mrs. Hamilton, a neighbor, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of slavery.
Themes in this chapter
Education as Liberation
Douglass realizes that literacy is the key to freedom, inspired by his master's opposition to his learning.
Corrupting Power of Slavery
Mrs. Auld's kind nature is corrupted by the 'fatal poison of irresponsible power' as she becomes a slaveholder.
Dehumanization of Slavery
The brutal treatment of Mary and Henrietta by Mrs. Hamilton exemplifies the dehumanizing violence of slavery.
Characters to notice
- Frederick Douglass
Narrator and protagonist; describes his early literacy journey and observations of slavery in Baltimore.
- Sophia Auld
Initially kind and teaches Douglass the alphabet; her character deteriorates under the influence of slavery.
- Hugh Auld
Forbids his wife from teaching Douglass, arguing that literacy would make him unmanageable and unfit for slavery.
- Thomas Hamilton
Neighbor who owns two slaves, Henrietta and Mary, who are brutally treated by his wife.
- Mrs. Hamilton
Cruel mistress who regularly beats and starves her slaves, Henrietta and Mary.
Key passages
“What he most loved, that I most hated. That which to him was a great evil, to be carefully shunned, was to me a great good, to be diligently sought; and the argument which he so warmly urged, against my learning to read, only served to inspire me with a desire and determination to learn.”
Douglass's master's opposition to his learning to read only fueled his determination to become literate.
Highlights the paradoxical effect of Hugh Auld's prohibition on Douglass's quest for education.
“That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon.”
Slavery transformed Mrs. Auld's kind and gentle demeanor into one of anger and cruelty.
Illustrates the corrupting power of slavery on a once-kind person.