The Three Contradictions

Throughout chapters 9 and 10, Douglass continues to 

languish-lose vitality;
fail to make progress

describe the dehumanization of slaves with gory and violent details. Douglass has proved that slaves were beaten in body and soul until they broke and obeyed their masters. Douglass admits that "Mr. Covey succeeded in breaking me. I crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died" (Page 71). Reading this quote even made a reader like me view Douglass' escape and resistance as hopeless. 

rekindle- light or set on fire;
arouse or inspire an emotion

      However, Douglass' steadfast and firm beliefs despite his harsh circumstances dumbfounded me. The first contradiction appeared when slaveowners succeeded in breaking hopes of slaves, but still Douglass regained his spirit, defiance, and determination to be free after he saw a possibility of escape during the battle with Mr Covey. According to Douglass, the battle "rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom,    and revived within me 
a sense of my own manhood. It recalled the departed self-confidence, and inspired me with a determination to be free" (Page 78). 

     The second contradiction I noticed throughout these chapters was the slaveowner's justification of slavery through religion. I would identify that justification as a false Christianity, a hypocritical reasoning to make themselves feel better of their brutality. Douglass demonstrates the contradiction between the peaceful tenets of Christianity and the violent actions of slaveholders by stating, "Prior to his conversion, he relied upon his own depravity to shield and sustain him in his savage barbarity; but after his conversion, he found religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty" (Page 63). 
     The last contradiction is that according to Douglass, the Douglass before the battle and after the battle are two different identities. He recounts this as a transformation from a slave who gave up literacy into a determined man, a slave who learned how to love,  and an enthusiastic teacher. The battle also gave Douglass an opportunity to hold a Sabbath school to educate slaves and spur a sense of rebellion in them: "I, therefore, commenced early to ascertain their views and feelings in regard to their condition, and to imbue their minds with thoughts of freedom" (Page 86). The opportunity to educate fellow slaves created a sense of kinship and affection, an emotion he has never felt before. For example, Douglass confesses,"I can say, I never loved any or confided in any people more than my fellow slaves... I believe we would have died for each other" (Page 86). I couldn't help feeling optimistic and curious of what would happen next as the novel took a positive turn from the rough incidences with Mr. Covey.

Imprudent- Not showing care for
the consequences of an action

Profligate- Recklessly wasteful
in the use of resources

destitute- extremely poor;
completely lacking