Chapter X

So much that happens and there is a lot to unpack in chapter 10. During this chapter, I began to see this overarching theme of hope. At the beginning of the chapter, Douglass loses his hope when he goes to stay with Mr.Covey who I think was Douglass’s most violent and cruel master. During the first six month of staying with Mr. Covey, Douglass reaches one of his lowest points. Douglass writes, “The cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died” (Douglass 38). Douglass no longer desires independence and he has lost his hope. On Douglass’s way back to Mr.Covey after a failed attempt to get help from his master, Sandy Jerkins, a fellow slave, tells him about a root that can prevent a white man from whipping him. Douglass finds this root and it seems to work until the second day of his return when Mr.Covey grabs him and attempts to tie Douglass up. However, this time Douglass decides to fight back and he resists Mr.Covey’s attempt to beat him. I wonder what exactly made Douglass finally stand up for himself and fight back against Mr.Covey. I also thought it was really interesting how this violent incident between Douglass and Mr.Covey serves as a major turning point for Douglass and ultimately helps him regain his hope and freedom seeking spirit. Douglass states, “My long-crushed spirit rose, cowardice departed, bold defiance took its place” (43). After his year with Mr.Covey, Douglass goes to live with Mr.Freedman who is a much more benevolent master in comparison to Mr.Covey. During this time, Douglass builds strong relationships with some of the fellow slaves and his desire for freedom grows. Douglass tried to teach some of the fellow slaves how to read and he and some of the other slaves even plan an escape. The plan ultimately fails and Douglass is separated from his peers and sent back to Baltimore to work for Master Hugh. During this time Douglass starts to earn wages, however he is forced to turn it all over to Master Hugh. Douglass is extremely bothered by how he has to give his rightly earned money to Master Hugh and he starts to become more aware of the injustices of slavery. I thought it was really interesting how every improvement in Douglass’s condition would increase his desire for freedom rather than making him feel more content. Also, whenever Douglass's condition worsened, his desire for freedom decreased.