I think that one way in which Douglass establishes his
identity is through his staunch opposition to slavery. As the book opens, the reader is
made aware of a life in bondage as one that demands outcry and the highest form of
resistance. Through this, Douglass' identity emerges. The narrative is one of
resistance, active and thorough. The events depicted are meant to arouse the anger of
the reader, as it awakened consciousness in him. The thoughts present and thoroughly
detailed are ones where Douglass understands the evil nature of slavery and progresses
through different levels of deconstructing it. In terms of personal identity, Douglass'
depiction is one where there is a genuine outrage at why human beings treat others in
such a despicable manner. In terms of political identity, Douglass is open about how
the presence of slavery constitutes America's "original sin," one where the promises and
hopes of a nation collide with its reality.
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