In Chapter 6 of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass illustrates how ignorance harms both the enslaved and the enslavers. He recounts the transformation of his mistress, Sophia Auld, who, initially kind, becomes cruel as she adopts the prevailing racist norms of society. Douglass writes about her initial willingness to teach him the alphabet, a beacon of hope for the enslaved. However, as her husband forbids her from educating him, she complies, showing how societal norms can corrupt individuals. This transition highlights the dangerous consequences of ignorance, suggesting that enslavement not only denies freedom but also deprives enslavers of their humanity.
Douglass deftly structures this chapter by first presenting his mistress’s kindness, establishing a contrast that emphasizes the tragic loss caused by ignorance. As he describes her descent into cruelty, Douglass links her moral decline to her adherence to societal expectations, reinforcing the idea that ignorance perpetuates a cycle of damage. The progression from kindness to cruelty thus effectively illustrates how the institution of slavery dehumanizes both the enslaved and the enslaver, forming a poignant commentary on the corrupting power of ignorance.