Question
RAID ON HARPERS FERRY
These two excerpts are from a speech given by Frederick Douglass on May 30, 1881, at the 14th anniversary of Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
[EXCERPT 1]These men invaded Harpers Ferry, disarmed the watchman, took possession of the arsenal, rifle-factory, armory and other government property at that place, arrested and made prisoners nearly all the prominent citizens of the neighborhood, collected about fifty slaves, put bayonets into the hands of such as were able and willing to fight for their liberty, killed three men, proclaimed general emancipation, held the ground more than thirty hours, were subsequently overpowered and nearly all killed, wounded or captured, by a body of United States troops... Three out of the nineteen invaders were captured whilst fighting, and one of these was Captain John Brown, the man who originated, planned and commanded the expedition. [He] was brought into court, subjected to a nominal trial, convicted of high treason and inciting slaves to insurrection, and was executed. Such is the story; with no line softened or hardened to my inclining.
[EXCERPT 2]But the question is, “Did John Brown fail?” He certainly did fail to get out of Harpers Ferry before being beaten down by United States soldiers; he did fail to save his own life, and to lead a liberating army into the mountains of Virginia. But he did not go to Harpers Ferry to save his life. The true question is, “Did John Brown draw his sword against slavery and thereby lose his life in vain?” and to this I answer ten thousand times, “No!” No man fails, or can fail who so grandly gives himself and all he has to a righteous cause… If John Brown did not end the war that ended slavery, he did at least begin the war that ended slavery.
Constructed Response Question
[Extended Response] Compare and contrast the two texts. Focus on the motivation and purpose of each in your comparison. Then, write your personal response to the question: “Did John Brown fail?” Cite evidence from the text.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The two excerpts from Frederick Douglass's speech on May 30, 1881, provide contrasting perspectives on John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, particularly focusing on Brown's motivations and the implications of his actions.
**Comparison of the Texts**
In **Excerpt 1**, Douglass recounts the events of the raid in a straightforward, factual manner. He describes the actions of Brown and his group, emphasizing their initial success in seizing government property and their interactions with local citizens and slaves. Douglass underscores the violent outcome, noting that the invaders were overpowered by United States troops and that John Brown was ultimately captured, tried for high treason, and executed. The purpose of this excerpt is to document the events of the raid while providing a historical account that is unbiased, reflecting both the courage and the futility of the attempt.
In contrast, **Excerpt 2** adopts a more philosophical and rhetorical approach. While acknowledging that Brown did not succeed in his immediate goals—such as escaping Harpers Ferry or leading a liberating army—Douglass shifts the focus to the moral significance of Brown's actions. He argues that Brown did not fail in vain; rather, his sacrifice ignited a broader movement against slavery. The purpose of this excerpt is to elevate Brown's legacy and to argue that his actions contributed meaningfully to the eventual end of slavery, framing them as part of a larger righteous cause.
**Contrast in Motive and Purpose**
In Excerpt 1, the motivation appears to be an objective recounting of historical events, providing a case study of a revolutionary act that ultimately failed militarily but was significant in its immediacy. Douglass aims to inform his audience about the facts surrounding the raid without embellishment.
On the other hand, Excerpt 2 offers an impassioned defense of Brown's legacy, positioning him as a martyr for the abolitionist cause. Douglass’s motivation here is to inspire his audience, emphasizing that the value of Brown's actions lies in their ultimate impact on the fight against slavery. This excerpt is not just about what happened, but rather what those events symbolized for future generations, stressing the idea that the struggle for justice is worthwhile, even if individual actions do not lead to immediate success.
**Personal Response to “Did John Brown fail?”**
Considering the evidence presented in both excerpts, I would argue that John Brown did not fail. While his immediate military actions at Harpers Ferry were unsuccessful and led to his execution, Douglass posits a crucial perspective: Brown's willingness to sacrifice everything for the cause of abolition inspired countless others and contributed to a growing momentum that would ultimately lead to the Civil War and the end of slavery.
As Douglass states in Excerpt 2, “No man fails, or can fail who so grandly gives himself and all he has to a righteous cause.” Brown’s actions, however tragic, acted as a pivotal catalyst for the larger movement against slavery, highlighting that the fight for justice is often fraught with personal sacrifice. His actions have had lasting implications, as they galvanized support for the abolitionist cause, demonstrating that while he may have lost in the immediate sense, his contributions were vital to the greater historical arc of liberation. Thus, Brown's legacy endures, proving that ultimate failure is often a matter of perspective, especially in the face of a righteous struggle.
**Comparison of the Texts**
In **Excerpt 1**, Douglass recounts the events of the raid in a straightforward, factual manner. He describes the actions of Brown and his group, emphasizing their initial success in seizing government property and their interactions with local citizens and slaves. Douglass underscores the violent outcome, noting that the invaders were overpowered by United States troops and that John Brown was ultimately captured, tried for high treason, and executed. The purpose of this excerpt is to document the events of the raid while providing a historical account that is unbiased, reflecting both the courage and the futility of the attempt.
In contrast, **Excerpt 2** adopts a more philosophical and rhetorical approach. While acknowledging that Brown did not succeed in his immediate goals—such as escaping Harpers Ferry or leading a liberating army—Douglass shifts the focus to the moral significance of Brown's actions. He argues that Brown did not fail in vain; rather, his sacrifice ignited a broader movement against slavery. The purpose of this excerpt is to elevate Brown's legacy and to argue that his actions contributed meaningfully to the eventual end of slavery, framing them as part of a larger righteous cause.
**Contrast in Motive and Purpose**
In Excerpt 1, the motivation appears to be an objective recounting of historical events, providing a case study of a revolutionary act that ultimately failed militarily but was significant in its immediacy. Douglass aims to inform his audience about the facts surrounding the raid without embellishment.
On the other hand, Excerpt 2 offers an impassioned defense of Brown's legacy, positioning him as a martyr for the abolitionist cause. Douglass’s motivation here is to inspire his audience, emphasizing that the value of Brown's actions lies in their ultimate impact on the fight against slavery. This excerpt is not just about what happened, but rather what those events symbolized for future generations, stressing the idea that the struggle for justice is worthwhile, even if individual actions do not lead to immediate success.
**Personal Response to “Did John Brown fail?”**
Considering the evidence presented in both excerpts, I would argue that John Brown did not fail. While his immediate military actions at Harpers Ferry were unsuccessful and led to his execution, Douglass posits a crucial perspective: Brown's willingness to sacrifice everything for the cause of abolition inspired countless others and contributed to a growing momentum that would ultimately lead to the Civil War and the end of slavery.
As Douglass states in Excerpt 2, “No man fails, or can fail who so grandly gives himself and all he has to a righteous cause.” Brown’s actions, however tragic, acted as a pivotal catalyst for the larger movement against slavery, highlighting that the fight for justice is often fraught with personal sacrifice. His actions have had lasting implications, as they galvanized support for the abolitionist cause, demonstrating that while he may have lost in the immediate sense, his contributions were vital to the greater historical arc of liberation. Thus, Brown's legacy endures, proving that ultimate failure is often a matter of perspective, especially in the face of a righteous struggle.