Preface

Before the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave begins, the reader is provided with a preface, written in 1884 by the famous abolitionist leader William Lloyd Garrison, that sets the tone of the book. Garrison notes how he first met Douglass at an antislavery convention in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He then goes on to describe Douglass' impassioned and unforgettable speech that eventually led to writing this book. His thoughts echo those of many who saw Douglass speak that day when he writes,' 'I think that I never hated slavery so intensely as at that moment." Garrison explains how he encouraged Douglass to become involved in the abolitionist movement and how Douglass feared that he would do more harm than good. However, Garrison persisted and Douglass became one of the most eloquent and persuasive promoters of slave independence. Garrison notes that' 'As a public speaker...