Bound for Glory (page 2)

Douglass displayed a spirituality uncommon amongst slaves, in his narrative he spoke of "a special interposition of divine Providence in my favor. . .This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise" (56). Indeed both men had a radical standpoint on religion that was frowned upon by most of society.

Mary Rowlandson was a member of this society that would be disturbed by the religious views of Douglass and Franklin. Rowlandson, the wife of a Puritan preacher, lived for religion and did not accept those such as the Indians who did not. Although she spoke of a similar "wonderful province of God" that Douglas spoke about, all in all their views on religion were quite different.3 Rowlandson's views contrast even heavier against the almost deist views of Franklin. In fact, Rowlandson and Franklin had virtually no significant similarities other than their race; however, Douglass and Rowlandson were in a similar situation and shared a similar cause.
At the time of their respective memoirs, both Douglas and Rowlandson represented an oppressed group. Slaves and women had little to no literary impact on colonial America; Douglas and Rowlandson penned some of the first widely read material produced by these groups. Their passionate writings reflected the "imprisoned" environment that they were fueled by, specifically slavery and captivity. Rowlandson often went hungry throughout the night and rarely had a blanket to cover herself. Douglass shared similar hardships as a slave, he "suffered much from hunger, but much more from cold" (54). Although Rowlandson and Douglass went through hard times and lived under cruel conditions, both of them experienced improved treatment.

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