The Courage & Faith of Douglass

             In the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass gives his readers a detailed and in depth insight into his times as a slave and his eventual escape from slavery. The most compelling passage to me was the section where Douglass is deliberating whether to return to his abusive slave owner, Mr. Covey or potentially stay hidden in the woods. As he contemplates potentially facing death at Mr. Covey’s or in the woods, he comes across a fellow slave and old acquaintance, Sandy Jenkins. Douglass states: “He told me, with great solemnity, I must go back to Covey… I must go with his into another part of the woods where there was a certain root, which if I would take some with me, carrying it always on my right side, would render it impossible for Mr. Covey, or any other white man to whip me” (Douglass 111). Prior to this encounter, Douglass becomes very angry with God, shouting at him, begging for answers as to why terrible things like the abuse of Mr. Covey happen. When Douglass runs into Sandy, I, as a reader, questioned what the root actually meant. I interpreted it as a symbol of Douglass regaining his faith, taking this journey with Sandy and facing his master with newfound strength.

            Douglass portrays great courage in this particular moment of his narrative. Earlier, he was questioning his faith and deciding whether to die or live and fight. I felt that Sandy was the figure that put him back on the right path of facing Mr. Covey and helped him regain his faith in God. The root that Sandy gives him symbolizes Douglass finding his strength and gaining the will to fight, and he does. When he returns to face Mr. Covey, Douglass explains: “Mr. Covey seemed now to think he had me, and could do what he pleased; but at this moment – from whence came the spirit I don’t know – I resolved to fight” (Douglass 112). I believe the “spirit” Douglass refers to may be the strength he gained from the root or the “pep talk” Sandy Jenkins gave him. This becomes a turning point in the narrative as Douglass begins to find a reason to fight back: gaining freedom and having faith in God.

            Douglass refers to religion, specifically Christianity, numerous times throughout his narration. He uses it to compel his readers to take his side and understand that using slavery, as an excuse for religion was wrong. Many slave owners believed that their actions could be justified because they were doing it in the name of Christianity. Douglass’ viewpoints must have been incredibly different and new to people reading his narrative during that time period. He does not explicitly say that all slave owners are bad, but he tells his readers what he knows and how he lived his life. Since religion is a part of his and many slaves lives, Douglass’ faith becomes a vital piece of his storytelling. Everyone, in some way or another, can relate to having faith in something; maybe not necessarily religious but a person or and idea. Douglass wants his readers to relate to his understandings and to comprehend his side of the story, using faith as his most commonly used topic.