Research Paper on:
Olaudah Equiano and Frederick Douglass Lifestyles and Philosophies

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
was known as a brilliant speaker, and his position as adviser to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War helped him to become a powerful voice for human rights.  His contributions against racial injustice are revered to this day. Olaudah Equiano wrote one of the very first of slave narratives which was published in 1789 which is recognized  as the beginning of a new genre of autobiography. FREDERICK DOUGLASS The slave narrative was a staple in the early to mid part of the nineteenth century. Not  only was it a way for oppressed slaves to cleanse their souls of their miserable experience, but it also served as a vehicle to educate the masses. Douglass narrative  was no different in that respect, banking upon the combined individuality and similarities to draw the final conclusion. The autobiographical slave narrative quickly became a "metaphor of providence and  Gods salvation" (Henry 2002, PG) that regularly brought together the parallelism between Israelites and slaves, which is apparent within the context of spirituals and black folk songs. Douglass poured  his heart and soul into his personal narrative, establishing his story as "self-reflective and introspective" (Henry 2002, PG). Recounting the many instances of humiliation, suffering and torment, Douglass effectively draws  the reader into the oppressive world of slavery. Indeed, it was the authors desire to bring attention to the injustices faced by all that were subject to living their  lives in slavery. Douglass personal account is especially interesting when one considers the fact that the author secretly taught himself to  read and write. With that in mind, one can imagine how difficult it must have been to acquire such an education without making ones efforts obvious. Douglass was