Answer: Frederick Douglass, a former slave and abolitionist, wrote about his experiences in his famous narrative "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave." In the narrative, Douglass describes how the initial kindness shown to him by a slave owner's mistress had a profound impact on him, but ultimately, her cruelty had a greater effect on him.
The mistress initially showed kindness to Douglass by teaching him how to read, which was a forbidden activity for slaves at that time. This act of kindness inspired Douglass and gave him hope for a better future. He saw the mistress as a symbol of compassion and kindness in a world that was otherwise filled with cruelty and oppression.
However, despite this initial kindness, the mistress eventually became cruel towards Douglass. When her husband discovered that she was teaching Douglass how to read, he punished both the mistress and Douglass severely. This event shattered Douglass's hopes and dreams, and he realized that the cruelty of slavery was systemic and that even those who showed kindness could eventually become cruel.
In conclusion, while the initial kindness shown to Douglass by the mistress was significant and had a profound impact on him, her eventual cruelty had a greater effect on him. It demonstrated to Douglass the reality of slavery and the need for its abolition.
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