The Narrative of Life of Frederick Douglass, An american Slave and NightJohn the film not only talks about freedom struggles of all people and its political sense but both the intimate relationship of literal slavery and slavery of illiteracy. Both NightJohn and Douglass imply liberation of one’s body and of one’s mind and soul which ultimately have a greater meaning with all being bound up with each other. Acknowledging the liberations and the great meaning behind NightJohn and Douglass are very profound when acknowledging the affect both have had for one’s own self. Both have a very powerful meaning and displays a picture of words for Frederick Douglass and power of words in a film. Douglass and NightJohn both own oneself having the control of their mind, body and soul which has made their accomplishments so perpetual in so many great ways and displays the role of freedom of one’s mental state regarding education and the ability to teach one and fight for so many.
Frederick Douglass born into slavery during the eighteen hundreds later separated from his mother a little after his birth along with majority of slaves during the eighteen hundreds. Growing up Douglass did not have the same journey as other slaves, as said in his narrative “he was not a peculiar one”, After being sent to a new slave master he still was too young to work in the field so as he states in his narrative “ I had a great leisure of time”. Douglass had been back and forth between many different slave masters at such a young age but he later met “ a woman of the kindest heart and finest feelings” Mrs. Auld who Douglass soon after lived with. She was very “ commenced” to teach him his A,B,C’s later after learning this Mrs. Auld assisted Douglass into spelling three to four words at a time.
As he was at the prime of his progress Mr. Auld found out Mrs. Auld was teaching him to read and write and forbade Mrs. Auld to further his knowledge to expand his education making such statement “ If you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master– to do as he is told to do. Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now…” Douglass states “ these words sank deep into my heart, stirred up sentiments within that lay slumbering, and called into existence an entirely new train of thought”. He was now understanding the the most perplexing difficulty he had struggled with and that was the white man’s power to enslave a black man.
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As his journey continues and he’s growing into a man his mindset began to expand he was becoming more aware of what was happening around him; after seven years of living with Master Hugh’s Douglass was succeeding in learning to read and write. He later began to learn the words and meaning of “abolition and abolitionist” he read the city papers containing an amount of of petitions regarding slaves up North and the abolition of slaves in the District of Columbia and slave trades between various states. He planned to run away and had always tried to console himself with the hope of one day finding a good chance. After years of now being sold to another proper Douglass can now give dates, now he could estimate the times of how long he stayed with Master Hugh’s family and various dates that have importance behind them. While Douglass had received a new slave master who whipped numerous times with no purpose he had to escape his own death and he’s very unsure on how but he did.
Douglass began to process many thoughts “ God, deliver me ! Let me be free ! Is there any God ? Why am I a slave ? I will run away…”. He had become frustrated not understanding why he could not escape, why he was experiencing what he had been experiencing and there being no end, Douglass just could not understand what was happening he had lost hope. After losing hope and later building himself back up Douglass had enough courage to escape, after escaping he met a man named Sandy and Sandy gave Douglass the advice and gave him the “root” which later on Mr. Covey and Douglass got into it and Douglass understanding the meaning behind the “root”. Douglass battle with Mr. Covey “ “was a turning point for my career as a slave” as Douglass states he re-claimed his self confidence and determination to be free.
NightJohn a man once freed but returns to slavery to teach slaves how to read. NightJohn a slave who has been sold to the Wallace family, it has been made clear to stay away from NightJohn because he’s trouble. Sarny a little black girl she hasn’t been to work in the fields and is now being exposed to house work , she is curious as to who NightJohn is and what trouble has he caused before. The first night NightJohn stays in the cabin he makes a trade with Sarny, Sarny offers tobacco but wants to know what she’ll receive in return NightJohn tells Sarny he’ll trade her letters for tobacco; Sarny is confused to what letters are but makes a deal. The first letter NightJohn taught Sarny was “A” he writes “A” and comments “it stands on two feet just like you”, this is now the opening to Sarnys journey to reading she’s now intrigued into the letter “A”.
Sarny begins to learn more letter in the alphabet each night NightJohn taught Sarny a new letter after a long day in the fields, Sarny was caught learning letters from NightJohn by her caretaker Delie. Delie had raised Sarny her whole life after her mother was sold she made a promise to take care of Sarny and keep her out of harm’s way; Delie did not want to put Sarny’s life in danger and as NightJohn explained what Sarny is learning no one can ever take away from her. The Old Man wants all reading and writing to be stopped at all cause due to him losing two fingers in previous years for knowing the alphabet, numbers and writing. This did not discourage Sarny to learn she wanted to take the risk by all means to instill the power of education and having the knowledge of reading letters, numbers and the ability to write.
When NightJohn became unavailable Sarny self taught herself to read words later making things very clear of the Bible and God being on the slaves side. Once she started their was not stopping and Deli become open to learning numbers since there were only ten. NightJohn seen the importance of education and knowing once it’s instilled into a person nothing can be done to erase that memory of having such great power of one’s mind body and soul.
Both NightJohn and Douglass take their journeys and pour into other people, they have their own story but despite that they still see the power of education and how it can change a person for the better. They fought for African Americans for them to have the same knowledge and it wasn’t easy at all. Douglass struggled but he once he gained his confidence back he pushed through to achieve something great for his people. Along with NightJohn he returned to help his people gain something that can never be taking from them, it’s the mindset of a strong individual one who’s in control on one’s self regardless the circumstances.
It’s the ability of having liberation of the body, mind and soul and understanding the true meaning and power of how they work together. Education has brought many people a long way and continues to evolve everyday, both The Narrative of Frederick Douglass and NightJohn the film hold a great significance of education and what its not only done for one but many holds a great power that could never be dismissed, taken away, or changed. When something as deep as education to the mind, body and soul have been instilled there’s no looking back no more distractions. We hold the power.
