Volha Ksianzova 516608

Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A

AJ17051 African American History and Culture

29 April 2021

 Family Relationships of Frederick Douglass in The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an
                                          American Slave

The story of Frederick Douglas is not just a story of escape from slavery but also a narrative
about the loss of connections with beloved people and native places. In fact, having lost his
family at an early age, Frederick was forced to seek alternative relationships that could replace
his mother and father, as well as brothers and sisters. In this essay, I would like to discuss who
may appear as potential parents and siblings in this story, how early childhood loss affected his
relationships with other people and the decision to run away.

First of all, I would like to cover the early childhood of Frederick to understand the origins of
his quest for a family and close emotional tie. At the very beginning of his story, Frederick
compares slaves to horses because they also do not know when they were born. Moreover, he notes
that he never met a slave who knew his birthday (12). Frederick’s mother died when he was very
young, leaving no information about his biological father. Most people identify themselves with
their roots and families, but, in fact, Douglas was deprived of this opportunity as well as such
common knowledge as his birthday. His tragical fate led to the fact that he had to look for a new
family in his life’s journey.

Regarding his affection for the mother, Frederick saw her only three or four times and apparently
this had inevitable result for their closeness (12). As a consequence, Frederick had to find a
replacement in the woman who was surprisingly kind to him - Mrs. Auld. After their first meeting,
he states: “It was a new and strange sight to me, brightening up my pathway with the light of
happiness” (25). In Auld’s house, he postpones thoughts about escape indicating that probably he
may have found some kind of home there. Later in the narrative he admits that she has “a mother’s
tenderness” – and this indicates his thoughts about her as a mother (55). Frederick Douglass
reconsiders the decision about escape only when he is forced to leave her house.

As concerns possible brothers and sisters, there can be singled out two types of characters who may
act as potential siblings of Douglass. The first group are white boys from the street who, in fact,
helped Frederick learn to write and read. He finds them at an early age and their relationship
resembles that one of younger brothers who enjoy playing, mocking each other and competing. For
example, Douglass told the boys on the street that he could write better than them, and they,
trying to beat him, became Douglas's teachers. As a result, when Douglass had to leave Baltimore,
he says that “it was to those little Baltimore boys that I felt the strongest attachment” (34).
They were another loss that Douglass faced. The second type of brothers is his fellow slaves, with
whom he eventually decides on an escape plan. Frederick gets acquainted with them at a more
conscious age, when everyone needs the support and guidance of his brothers and sisters. Frederick
Douglass believes that they would have died for each other admitting that he “never loved any or
confided in any people more than the fellow slaves” (49). They play a key role in formation of his
final decision and simplify the process of running away. However, it turns out that they are forced
to leave one another and lead to another loss in Douglas's life.

Douglass had to leave his friends and close people so often that it influenced his determination to
run away. Reflecting on why many slaves stay and do not flee, Douglass notes that the reason is
that they are not ready to leave their family and friends. He expresses his opinion that “thousands
would escape from slavery, who now remain, but for the strong cords of affection that bind them to
their friends” (56). Douglass often lost touch with his beloved ones. Having such a hardening, it
was much easier for him to leave the habitable places and decide to escape.

In conclusion, Douglass lost his family very early and tried to replace it with attachments to
other people along the way. New losses on the path of life temper Frederick and allow him to decide
on an escape, which is much more difficult for the majority because of test family ties. However,
he finally ended up to feel like home at Mr. Johnson's - the one who ultimately gave Frederick his
name which is quite a paternal thing to do.

                                            Works cited

Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. Independently
published, 2020.