Fredrick Douglass: Chapter 11

    While reading the final chapter of the book, I think the moments we all had been waiting for finally happened. At the end of the book, there were so many joyful scenes, from Douglass's escape to him finding a job and being his own master. I was surprised when he first experienced life in the north because he described it as lonely. I was scared for him that someone would get him in trouble, so I was happy when he found people he could trust and rely on, like Mr. Ruggles. As Douglass's new life carries on, he discusses his work as a freedman. He says, "There was no work too hard... all of which I did for nearly three years in New Bedford, before I became known to the anti-slavery world" (Douglass 69). In other words, any work he did was easy because he already had so much work experience from when he was a slave. Not to mention, he worked in harsher conditions with mean masters. In addition to his work experience making jobs easier, the fact that he got to earn money and keep it also allowed him for more enjoyable work. The joy Douglass experienced made this last chapter very enjoyable.

    I also thought Douglass's education was important in this last chapter. On the last page, he talks about finally subscribing to the "Liberator" after he made enough money. Due to his ability to read, he was able to read the paper and absorb everything in it. He says it "sent a thrill of joy through my soul, such as I had never felt before!" (69). Douglass became very passionate about reading this paper. Once again, his ability to read proved to be an important part of his life that brought rewards. This was also a great thing for Douglass because earlier in the book, he regretted learning to read because of the things he was exposed to, yet the "Liberator" made his education even more worth it. This paper that he loves to read ended up getting him involved in anti-slavery meetings, allowing him to create an even stronger passion against slavery. Lastly, in these meetings, it is proven evident that although Douglass escaped slavery, he still feels a sense of inferiority. He says speaking to white people "weighed me down" because he was once a slave (69). This underlying sense of racism will probably continue for the rest of his own life, and it will surely outlive him.