The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Throughout the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave Douglass constantly used syntax, figurative language, and selection of detail to strengthen his viewpoint of slavery, particularly in the 3rd paragraph. In addition to the use of these literary techniques throughout the autobiography, Douglass also incorporated the use of parallel structure and repetition heavily in the body of the 3rd paragraph. By doing this Douglass was able to portray his true feelings towards slavery, and later build and elaborate. Therefore Douglass' rhetorical purpose of the passage was greatly reinforced.

Douglass' passage begins with carefully depicted details, along with syntax and figurative language. Throughout the first and second paragraphs Douglass discusses slavery and speaks as if to the reader. The first few lines discuss the routine of work; how work was to be done in all types of weather on any type of day. This use of detail soon transpires into figurative language as Douglass "was broken in body, soul, and spirit." The use of types of weather as a main cause of being a broken spirit is actually very fitting; much like people feel gloomy and down on a rainy day. The repetition of the word work, and the repetition and constant deed of Douglass' work also plays a huge role in the passage. The constant work seemed to have "transformed {him} into a brute." Douglass also states that "the shortest nights were too long" and later describes slavery as the dark night. This selection not only uses superb repetition, but it also sets a dark and blackened tone. Douglass, however, then enhances the gloomy mood of the passage by describing beautiful, white vessels as ghostly and terrifying. Douglass uses the 3rd paragraph to portray the true hardships he has been faced with as a slave, and how beaten his soul and his life truly are.

The 3rd paragraph of the passage is filled with literary divides and written in a monologue format in which Douglass speaks aloud to water and the passing sail boats. By formatting this paragraph