Final answer:
In the piece 'Douglas,' the speaker, presumably Frederick Douglass, addresses the reader and reflects on a compassionate individual in his life while exploring the themes of slavery and literacy as a means to combat racism.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Douglass, the person being addressed is the speaker in the poem, and the speaker is reflecting on their own experiences with Mr. Auld, highlighting the power of literacy.
The speaker asks for recognition of a certain person's kindness and good deeds within their life, capturing their compassionate actions and how they provided support and comfort to those in need.
Additionally, the speaker provides commentary on the broader social issues of the time, such as slavery, and the role of literacy in combatting these issues.
Frederick Douglass, a former enslaved person who became a leading abolitionist, is calling upon the reader to reflect upon the transformative power of education and literacy.
Through his narrative, he demonstrates an understanding of the detrimental impacts of slavery, not just for the enslaved, but also for the slaveholders.
The narrative also underscores the value of literacy in changing the lived experiences of enslaved people, as exemplified by the speaker's interactions with Mr. Auld.
Ultimately, the text manipulates the reader to adopt a certain reading role and consider how the narrative and its themes resonate with the reader's understanding of the historical period of slavery and the importance of literacy.