Douglass makes a simple statement about the man he calls Captain Anthony, his first "master." He says,
"Master, however, was not a humane slaveholder...He was a cruel man, hardened by a long life of slaveholding. He would at times seem to take great pleasure in whipping a slave."
In this quote, which appears on page 51 of the 1982 Penguin Edition of the book (remember, page numbers may vary from edition to edition), Douglass points out that being allowed to be in a position of such complete power over another human being has a negative affect on character, a "hardening" of sensitivities and a negation of humanity (Chapter 1).
Douglass explores this concept further on pages 76-77 in speaking about Sophia Auld, the wife of a later slaveholder to which he was sold. When he first came in contact with this woman, she had not owned slaves before, and she
"proved to be...a woman of the kindest heart and finest feelings. She had never had a slave under her control previously...and prior to her marriage she had been dependent upon her own industry for a living."
Mrs. Auld's naturally kind inclinations led her to undertake to teach young Frederick how to read, but she was soon advised in no uncertain terms that slaves were not to be allowed to read under any circumstances. After learning this sad reality, it was not long before the obscene "privileges" of her station as a white slaveholder began to erode her basically decent nature.
"The fatal poison of irresponsible power was already in her hands, and soon commenced its infernal work. That cheerful eye, under the influence of slavery, soon became red with rage; that voice, made all of sweet accord, changed to one of harsh and horrid discord; and that angelic face gave place to that of a demon" (Chapter 6).
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