Douglas reflects back on his time as a slave in chapter 2. He speaks of all the horrid images especially of one cruel overseer, Mr. Severe. A man who took pleasure in the whippings and cruelty his job allowed him. We also get another image of the clothing and sleeping arrangements for the slaves, which is obvious to us to be less than humane. However, later Douglas speaks on slaves being able to work on the “Great House Farm” and how it was such a joy (as joyful as one can be in that situation), and this drove them to sing. However, Douglas made it clear that their songs did not convey happiness or contentment. Douglas said, “Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains.” Song was a way for slaves to express their anger and sorrow and this usually filled their tones. Their songs gave them hope and gave others hope as well. However, when did this start and how did it become a cultural phenomenon? Music has been engraved into the culture of black people all across the country and this seems to be it’s earliest origins. The evil and pain of slavery was carried through history by voice.
