Douglass includes a lot of maxims in his Narrative. What is the effect of these?
They make his autobiography less believable because some of them are not true.
He reveals many of the values of the people during the time in which he lived.
They demonstrate that slaves were highly intelligent.
The reader comes away with some new truths to live by.
I vote for the last choice.
The effect of including maxims in Douglass's Narrative can be observed in a few ways.
Firstly, the inclusion of maxims can help reveal the values of the people during the time in which Douglass lived. Maxims are concise statements that often express general truths or moral lessons. By including these maxims, Douglass provides insight into the prevailing beliefs and attitudes of society, particularly towards the institution of slavery. This can help the reader gain a deeper understanding of the cultural context in which Douglass lived and the challenges he faced as a slave.
Furthermore, the inclusion of maxims can demonstrate the intelligence and agency of slaves. By using clever and wise sayings, Douglass portrays slaves as individuals who possessed intellectual abilities, despite being oppressed. This challenges the commonly held stereotype of slaves as unintelligent and reinforces the message that African Americans should be seen as equals.
In addition, the inclusion of maxims can also have a broader impact on readers. By presenting these concise statements of wisdom and truth, Douglass encourages readers to reflect on their own values and potentially adopt new truths to live by. This can contribute to the overall impact of the Narrative, inspiring readers to take action against injustice and work towards a more just society.
It's important to note that while some of the maxims included in Douglass's Narrative may not be factually true, it is crucial to understand their purpose within the text. Douglass utilized these maxims to convey greater truths and to promote his overarching message of equality and liberation.