Romanticism In Fredrick Douglass - 1385 Words

Critics struggle to fit Douglass’s narrative into a literary genre, some believe it fits within the realm of Romanticism while others argue his narrative belongs under Realism. In nineteen century America, the African American voice was missing from literature. Slave narratives were not taken seriously and most slaves were not taught how to read or write. Douglass’s was a self-taught slave his narrative was a game changer Douglass was considered an intellectual and respected by most as a reputable author. Douglass’s narrative is difficult to place within genre because it has aspects of both realism and romanticism. It is realistic to have a narrative explaining the horrors of slavery: some of the horrors so terrible it is hard for someone†¦show more content†¦This means, that Douglass’s work does not need to have actually happened to be considered a realistic narrative, it just needs to seem like it could have happened and is a normal occurrence f or slaves. After considering this, there are reasons that this narrative became so popular. Douglass’s narrative does not portray an everyday occurrence of American slavery it is about one man who, with luck on his side, made it to freedom. Every slave did suffer, slaves were beaten, raped, whipped, and worked to death this narrative does catch the sorrow of slave life but it goes out of the ordinary. The famous line â€Å"You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man. (Douglass, 73) is a chasm used to exemplify this. Overcoming oppression in the scene where Douglass takes on Mr. Covey the â€Å"slave breaker† (Douglass, 66) would not be a normal occurrence, Douglass triumphs and becomes the embodiment of a romantic hero. To overcome Covey, â€Å"Douglas creates a need to invent a self outside of the active oppression around him.† (Wessel). Instead of being realistic, this narrative is an example of propaganda, Douglass roma nticises the fight to get his readers attention, to give slaves hope, and to grasp Northerners’ following in joining the abolitionists. â€Å"While the reality of Douglass’s experiences is anything but aShow MoreRelatedRomanticism And Realism727 Words   |  3 Pagesdiscussing the transition from Romanticism to Realism in literature in the 1800’s. Both styles of literature we’re revolutionary in their time and are still two of the most popular styles of writing today. While Romanticism seems to focus on metaphors and emotions Realism mostly focuses on the character and the aspects of everyday life. Although these two styles are very different it is easy to see how Romanticism lead to the Realism style of writing. Usually in Romanticism the characters tend to be unRead MoreRomanticism vs. Realism Essay848 Words   |  4 PagesThe main ideas of the period of Romanticism were largely based on self expression, free will and the ability to act on that will, spontaneity, individualism and the prospect to shape your own life. The thoughts of the realists pertained to more concrete aspects of the here and now and emphasize that the things that matter are unavoidable truths. In the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, his ideas of human potential and self exploration towards becoming part of the proclaimed freedoms andRead MoreAmerican Romanticism As Portrayed By Walt Whitman s Song Of Myself979 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican Romanticism as portrayed by Walt Whitman’s â€Å"Song of Myself† and Fredrick Douglass’s Narrative American Romanticism focuses on the imagination, emotions and idealized perspectives of the world. Romanticism is in opposition to the forms and conventions of Neoclassical Literature and is a reaction to the Age of reason which preceded Romanticism. Reason was ruled out in this era in place of imagination, individuality, and emotions, which are all three roots that defines Romanticism. Although