Andrew Morley

Mr. Orvik
1st Block, Day 1

Analysis of Narrative of the Life of Frederick

Douglass, an American Slave
In this passage from Frederick Douglass, the use of syntax, figurative language,
and selection of detail are varied throughout. The third paragraph is distinguished
immensely from the others by the elements and details in it.
Frederick Douglass uses a lot of syntax, figurative language, and selection of
detail. The use of periodic sentences is prevalent throughout the entire passage. The first
sentence of the passage is a periodic sentence, because the sentence doesnt receive
emphasis until the end. Also, the opening of the second paragraph is a periodic sentence,
showing some faint parallelism between the beginning two paragraphs. An antithesis is
also present in the second paragraph: Those beautiful vessels, robed in purest white, so
delightful to the eye of freemen, were to me so many shrouded ghosts, to terrify and
torment me with the thoughts of my wretched condition. Mr. Douglass used very
interesting language in the first two paragraphs.
There are many contrasts between the third paragraph and the first two. One
glaring difference is the stronger use of parallelism in the third paragraph than in the first
two. In the first eight sentences, the interjection O begins five of them, creating a
parallel effect on the reader. Another flagrant contrast is the difference in tone. The tone
of the beginning two paragraphs is a very disparaging one, because he speaks of the
bitterest dregs of slavery and the dark night of slavery closed in upon me. Douglass
becomes more optimistic about escaping slavery through a rather lengthy personal aside
that is the third paragraph. The differences reinforce Douglasss rhetoric because they
paint a picture of how slavery is, and how that optimism can help the slave. There are
many major points creating a contrast between the first two paragraphs and the third
paragraph.
Although there are many contrasting points between the first two paragraphs and
the third, there are also many parts that are alike. One similarity is the common use of
periodic sentences. With the first sentence of the third paragraph being a periodic one, it
adds to the parallel sense of the entire passage. Moreover the use of antithesis is prevalent
in both the third and second paragraphs. You are freedoms swift-winged angels that fly
round the world; I am confined in bands of iron! (19-20).
The use of syntax, figurative language, and selection of detail by Frederick
Douglass are widespread throughout this passage. Also, there are many comparable and
contrastable ideas between the first two paragraphs and the third paragraph.