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13 votes
Which of the following best shows Douglass's writing style of showing both negative and positive points of view

"not that it would injure me, but it might embarross them."
O "The slave was made to say some very smart... things which had the desired though unexpected effect."
"Nothing seemed to make her more angry than to see me with a newspaper."
O "I would at times feel that learning to read had been o curse rather than a blessing."

User RedPanda
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2 Answers

21 votes
21 votes

Final answer:

Frederick Douglass's writing style masterfully balances the presentation of both the adversities and the subtle complexities of slavery, showing his critique of the institution and his sensitivity to the broader cultural context. By articulating the negative impacts on himself and the empathy towards others, Douglass offers a nuanced perspective of this historical period.

Step-by-step explanation:

The writing style of Frederick Douglass, which skillfully presents both negative and positive points of view, can be characterized as one that articulates a sophisticated and complex understanding of the historical period of slavery. Douglass conveys the intricacies of slavery not only from the perspective of the enslaved but also considers the impact on slaveholders. His ability to evoke empathy while critiquing the institution of slavery shows his keen awareness of his audience and the rhetorical situation.

For instance, in the excerpt "not that it would injure me, but it might embarross them," Douglass acknowledges the potential embarrassment his knowledge could cause the boys who had helped him. This reflects his sensitivity to the slaveholders' conditions and the prevailing culture that permitted slavery. His writings also include personal experiences where he shows the dire impact of slavery on his own life, such as being forbidden from reading, which represents the oppressive nature of slaveholders—captured in the excerpt "Nothing seemed to make her more angry than to see me with a newspaper." Nonetheless, Douglass can also reflect poignantly on his condition, as shown when he says, "I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing," suggesting that his increasing awareness and intelligence only magnified his misery under slavery.

User Michael Sepcot
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12 votes
12 votes

Answer: not that it would injure me, but it might embarrass them

Step-by-step explanation:

I couldn't get the passage or text where this came from but I'll still like to help.

The option that best describes Douglas writing style of showing both negative and positive points of view is "not that it would injure me, but it might embarrass them".

The positive view is that there won't be any injury to the writer. In this case, the writer is not negatively affected. On the other hand, the negative point of view is that others can be embarrassed. Embarrassing other people is something negative. .

Therefore, the option chosen has both positive and negative impact unlike other option.

User B Remmelzwaal
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