Life of Frederick Douglass and Life of a Slave Girl Society knows enough about slavery to leave a bitter taste in their mouth after learning just the basic lifestyle of their ancestors. The contribution of Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs’ Life of a Slave Girl both provide a comprehensive personal view of slavery from the inside. Both memoirs correspond in the sense of being raised in slavery but also contrast with each other because of the opposite sex factor. Frederick Douglass, being born into slavery, did not grasp exactly what slave life entailed until he witnessed his aunt being whipped by his master. These horrific sights brand Douglass for life but he keeps his eye on reaching freedom throughout all of his hardships. Jacobs also keeps her sights on the same dream of being a freed slave. Both have been slightly educated in being taught to read by a mistress for a small amount of time. Owners made it a point to keep their slaves as ignorant as possible and threatened them if they were being taught to read or write. Douglass believed that slavery kept people from improving their minds intellectually and he was correct. Their small amount of education and the want to expand their knowledge is what kept their minds free of slavery, despite physically being enslaved.
Religion also played a big part in keeping both Douglass and Jacobs sane. Jacobs was a very godly Christian and was most affected by not having the right to attend church. She discovers that the slave owners were using religion for evil to practically brainwash the slaves by hiring a black man to give sermons on staying obedient to their owners. Douglass was also offended by slave holders use of religion because he believes that you cannot own slaves and also be a Christian. He saw this as hypocritical and called them “religious imposters”. The difference of sex is a key factor in these two life tales. Douglass experiences more of the heavy labor side of slavery and can never catch a break. He finally realizes that he would rather die than be whipped again and thus stands up to his owner (Covey). He is successful in this endeavor and gains the strength to
