http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mfd&fileName=47/47002/47002page.db&recNum=0&itemLink=/ammem/doughtml/dougFolder8.html&linkText=7
This poem, a quatrain to be specific, speaks of the injustice of the time, presumably slavery. It speaks of a better time, when injustice (slavery?) on earth shall be no more. Idealistic: possibly; historically relevant: definitely. It is unclear whether Douglass wrote this poem himself or whether some other anonymous poet crafted these lines. This poem seems to speak of the problems that Douglass may have been experiencing, as he longed for a time “When earth’s injustice to her son’s shall end.”
The fact that Douglass even owns the poem tells us that he valued an intellectual life (further shown in the book we read over the summer) and the benefit one receives in reading. Poetry, obviously, was therefore one piece of writing in particular that Douglass valued and respected.
The fact that the document contains no information other then the poem itself brings forth many unanswered questions. Who, if not Douglass, is the author? Why did they write it? When did they write it? Could a slave, or even former slave, possibly have written it? Did an abolitionist or sympathetic humanitarian write this? How did Douglass get a copy of it? Why is the handwriting so cool? All of these questions are avenues for further research into the origin and purpose of this document.
Ben Renne
How do we know when this poem was created? We cannot really assume that this poem is about slavery and the struggles of that time when there is no proof that it was written in that time period. I could see as to why Douglass would have kept this poem because he could have related it back to the struggles he and his enslaved brothers endured. Douglass’ life revolved around slavery and the abolition of it so it would only seem right to assume that he kept this poem.
One question that comes to mind was did Douglass himself write this poem or was it written by another unnamed author? No doubt this is a beautiful poem that expresses much emotion of anger and the act of oppression, but who wrote it? Also, i would like to know what this poem really refers to. Is it refering to slavery, or some other type of oppression?
How do we know when this poem was created? We cannot really assume that this poem is about slavery and the struggles of that time when there is no proof that it was written in that time period. I could see as to why Douglass would have kept this poem because he could have related it back to the struggles he and his enslaved brothers endured. Douglass’ life revolved around slavery and the abolition of it so it would only seem right to assume that he kept this poem.
One question that comes to mind was did Douglass himself write this poem or was it written by another unnamed author? No doubt this is a beautiful poem that expresses much emotion of anger and the act of oppression, but who wrote it? Also, i would like to know what this poem really refers to. Is it refering to slavery, or some other type of oppression?
When I first looked at the poem, the first thing that struck me was the unusual handwriting. The poem looks as though it were written to be aesthetically pleasing in addition to having a strong message. I also believe that it is unlikely that Douglass was the author, or if he was, this is a copy of his poem. His handwriting, which can be seen in his speeches and letters, looks very different from the one used in the poem. Although I agree on the point that Douglass was an intellectual, I don’t think that this poem necessarily proves it. The poem is relatively simple, and has more of an emotional appeal than anything else. This poem leaves many questions unanswered, as there is no clear author or date and the researcher can only speculate.
When I first looked at the poem, the first thing that struck me was the unusual handwriting. The poem looks as though it were written to be aesthetically pleasing in addition to having a strong message. I also believe that it is unlikely that Douglass was the author, or if he was, this is a copy of his poem. His handwriting, which can be seen in his speeches and letters, looks very different from the one used in the poem. Although I agree on the point that Douglass was an intellectual, I don’t think that this poem necessarily proves it. The poem is relatively simple, and has more of an emotional appeal than anything else. This poem leaves many questions unanswered, as there is no clear author or date and the researcher can only speculate.