What was the author's purpose in writing this book?

The
influential narrative ofis an awe-inspiring description of his struggle and fight for freedom
against the prejudiced, brutal, oppressive Southern institution of slavery. His
motivation to write about his difficult life as a slave was to both inform the American public
about the debased, malevolent nature of slavery and to humanize the slaves negatively affected
by the Southern institution . Throughout his narrative, Frederick depicts the
horrors of slavery by exposing the slave masters use of physical and psychological abuse.
Frederick Douglass's vivid descriptions of his emotions and thoughts also humanize the enslaved
African Americans. At the time, slaves were considered less than human and thought of as
emotionally shallow, unintelligent beings. Douglass shatters these prevalent false stereotypes
by articulately depicting his emotional depth, talents, and critical thinking skills throughout
the narrative. He presents himself as an intelligent, rational...