The Intentions of Wm. Garrison
When an author decides to compose a piece of literature, the author usually has a purpose in mind for that piece of work. Whether it is meant to be for entertainment or to get a point across to the reader, the author wishes to reach the reader in some way. The preface of a piece of literature can sometimes be just as important as the story itself. The preface is often used to introduce the story ahead. However, the author of the preface may also have an alternative motive. Such is the case with the preface written by William Lloyd Garrison in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Garrison is in no way objective in writing the preface. Garrison uses this opportunity to put forth his views on slavery to persuade the reader to support the anti-slavery cause. While Douglass is simply stating facts about slave life, Garrison is expressing his anti-slavery views to influence the reader. Frederick Douglass wrote his narrative with the goal of exposing the life of a slave, namely himself. Through his shocking account of slave life, Douglass hopes that the reader will change their views toward slavery and help in the fight to end slavery. Throughout the narrative,
Master Daniel is quite reasonable to Douglass. However, Garrison uses this opportunity to convince the reader to change their views and join the fight against slavery. Because of Garrison's intention in the preface, his work can be characterized as a type of protest literature. Douglass gives details to the life he lives and explains to the reader the way a slave is treated and the way they are expected to live. He beats the slaves so badly that even the master is offended (50). At the end of Douglass's speech, Garrison recalls that at that time it is the most he had ever hated slavery (34). Because the slaves are beaten so often and so ruthlessly, they fear most of their masters. Garrison calls slavery evil and wishes "Heaven speed its eternal overthrow! (39)" The last paragraph of the preface is most likely the most convincing confirmation that the preface is used to persuade the reader. While it is difficult for somebody today to see any good in slavery, at the time when Garrison wrote the preface, there were people who thought slavery was necessary. Without knowing who one's mother or father is, the only person a slave knows to take orders from is their owner. Because of the bias Garrison took in writing the preface, one wonders if he meant for the preface to be a source of propaganda. Even though Douglass hopes to turn the reader against slavery, he still includes the few positive experiences he encounters. The overseers are very cruel men who often take pleasure in whipping the slaves (55).
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Acceptance Essays
