One
of the significant moments of Douglass’s life I found was when he shared his
childhood experience as essentially his turning point. Briefly speaking, Douglass
is informed to go to Baltimore to live with Hugh Auld, who is Captain Anthony’s
son‑in‑law’s brother. He shares his experience on this occasion, from which he
happily prepares to leave Colonel Lloyd’s plantation and his transfer to
Baltimore. This passage focuses on his importance of how everything changed and
I especially find this is interesting that he explains how this is part of big
transformation to his path and why he appreciates this consequence.
Towards the end of the chapter, one
of the important texts I found was “I have ever regarded it as the first plain
manifestation of that kind providence which has ever since attended me, and
marked my life with so many favors” (Douglass 75). I thought this was
interesting that he believes to be a gift from divine providence and that
leaving Lloyd's plantation was a profound opportunity for him. Furthermore, he
also adds, “I regarded as the selection of myself as being somewhat remarkable.
There were a number of slave children that might have been sent from the
plantation to Baltimore. There were those younger, those older, and those of
the same age. I was chosen from among them all, and was the first, last, and
only choice” (Douglass 75). I also think this detail of the text highlights his
significance as being selected to go Baltimore. This suggests myself that, among
many slaves, he was the chosen one, and from that point on, he experienced
independence that freed him away from chains of slavery. The point to get cross
upon this event is that if he had never got the chance to leave Lloyd’s plantation,
he might never have escaped from slavery; he may have remained as a slave in
Maryland instead of writing his autobiography. At the end, I can essentially
see that Douglass takes appreciation upon this consequence, and that he
considers to be a turning point in his life.
I totally agree that moving to Baltimore was probably one of, if not the biggest, turning point in Douglass’s life. Baltimore had such a different atmosphere in comparison to the plantation like Douglass observed, “A city slave is almost a freeman, compared with a slave on the plantation.” (Douglass 79). This was the place that Douglass’ that gave him a taste of a better life. It’s amazing, I didn’t realize like you pointed out that he may have felt like the Chosen One from the slaves who remained at the plantation.
ReplyDeleteWhat I’m really curious about it, and this may seem like a terrible place to go... But what if Douglass hadn’t been chosen to go to Baltimore? Another slave went, exposed to the same things, as Douglass when he was there. Would they have tried to make a better life for themselves, and also try to escape? Granted if this event happened we wouldn’t have this incredible account to read, but would there have been another in its place? I don’t know if what Douglass did, I don’t know if a lot of slaves could have made that decision because of that bondage on them. What do you think?