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Bound
for Glory (page 2)
Mary's
views of Indians changed over the coarse of her captivity. She even talked of
her master, formerly one of the "Barbarous Creatures", as "the
best friend that [she] had of an Indian" (86). Douglass had a similar situation
however he reacted completely differently, "whenever my condition was improved,
instead of its increasing my contentment, it only increased my desire to be free"
(94).
When freedom came, both Rowlandson
and Douglass shared similar feelings.
Upon gaining her freedom, Rowlandson
had a very subtle explanation of how she felt: "Now was I full of joy, and
yet not without sorrow" (108). Although her reply to freedom was not as emphatic
as one might think it should be, she had not been a captive for as long as Douglass
had been a slave. Douglass responded to freedom with a heart-filled and joyful
account: "It was a moment of the highest excitement I ever experienced. .
.I felt like one who escaped a den of hungry lions" (98). Freedom was Douglass'
ultimate goal, but he continued to make a difference in society even after he
attained freedom. Douglass accomplished
things in his lifetime that few white men could boast of achieving. His advanced
education, philosophical views on religion, and attitude towards freedom made
him a role model to all black men and women. He had achieved what most slaves
could only dream about. His story parallels those of Ben Franklin and Mary Rowlandson
two of the most influential white American historical figures, proving that his
historical relevance and impact goes much beyond race. 1
David W. Blight, ed., Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American
Slave, Written by Himself (Boston: Bedford Books, 1998), p58.
2 Louis P. Masur,
ed., The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Boston: Bedford Books, 1993), p38.
3
Neal Salisbury, ed., The Sovereignty and Goodness of God by Mary Rowlandson with
Related Documents (Boston: Bedford Books, 1997), p105.
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