Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

chapter 8

in the chapter douglass states, "At this moment, i saw more clearly than ever the brutalizing effects of slavery upon both slave and slaveholder." what evidence does Douglass give to support his claim that slavery is brutal for slaveholders as well as slaves?

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The word "brutalize" is repeated throughout the book by Douglass as a way to describe slavery. Men, women, and children were treated like property of the slave owner. They were not only harmed but their very humanity was taken away. Douglass extended the lost humanity to the slave owner as well. In treating the slave so brutally, he inflicted brutality upon his own soul: he lost his humanity. Slavery was hence brutal for both the slave owner and the slave.

Yea

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