Into a New World

During the final two chapters of this narrative, Douglass, for the first time in his life, has the opportunity to see the other side of the world to which he has been hidden since he was born. Before he enters this life-changing transition, he does see some improvement in his life, even as a slave. 

While working William Freeland, he has a totally different experience than what he lived before. Douglass described Freeland as an owner that expects hard work but is fair at the same time, thing that Douglass enjoys: "He worked us hard, but from sunrise to sunset. He required a good deal of work to be done, but gave us good tools to work with...My treatment, while in this employment, was heavenly, compared with what I experienced at the hands of Mr. Edward Covey." (83) This clearly shows the readers that the respect of human dignity, even with the hardest work is essential for our own well being, and that is the main difference between Covey and Freeland. Anyone reading through this chapter would be astonished with Douglass' immense will to give despite nothing has ever been given to him. I think that is the reflection of his own well being while working with Freeland, but most importantly, it teaches us a lesson. The act of giving, despite what has been given to us, will bring great personal satisfaction. Douglass' holds a school for free colored men, which at a point had forty students. It's remarkable that Douglass chose to do this knowing it was forbidden by the law, however, this fear was overcome by his perseverance. At the end of the day, it made him happy to help the members of his community: "They were great days to my soul. The work of instructing my dear fellow-slaves was the sweetest engagement with which I was ever blessed (85)."

Moving into the final chapter, it is clear that Douglass' will for freedom surpasses any well being he is experiencing at the moment. After one failed escaping attempt, Douglass is sent to work in Baltimore, where he asks his owner to seek employment, with the condition that he must give his salary to his owner, even though he thinks he should stay with the money. After some time, he is allowed to stay with part of the money. After lots of planning, he finally escapes to New York City: "How I did so, what means I adopted, what direction I travelled, and by what mode of conveyance, I must leave unexplained, for the reasons before mentioned. (105)".