Final Answer:
Douglass's owner ignored his complaints and sent him back to Mr. Convey due to a combination of economic interests, lack of empathy, and the entrenched societal norms of the time.
Explanation:
Douglass's owner dismissed his complaints primarily because the prevailing economic system depended heavily on the exploitation of enslaved labor. Owners perceived enslaved individuals merely as property, devoid of personal agency or rights. Additionally, the prevailing societal attitudes of the era fostered an environment where the voices and grievances of enslaved people were routinely disregarded.
Furthermore, the lack of empathy and dehumanization entrenched in the institution of slavery allowed owners to prioritize their economic gains over the well-being or complaints of the enslaved individuals. Hence, Douglass's owner chose to overlook his grievances and return him to Mr. Convey, perpetuating the systemic injustices of slavery.
The economic imperatives of slavery, intertwined with societal attitudes that dehumanized enslaved individuals, formed the basis for Douglass's owner to dismiss his complaints.
The pervasive normalization of the dehumanization of enslaved people allowed owners to prioritize their financial interests over the humanity and concerns of those they enslaved. Consequently, the systemic oppression inherent in the institution of slavery perpetuated the cycle of disregarding the grievances of individuals like Douglass, ultimately reinforcing the institution's cruelty and injustice.