Abstract：Over the past century, many white and black characters were created in many literary works which described American slave society. However, the studies of analyzing the white and black characters failed in drawing enough attention. Slave narratives are written from the perspective of the first person, and this mode of narration has a special significance in literature and research field. This study aims to analyze white masters deeply and find similarities or differences between them. We can map the attitudes the white slaves holders have towards the black slaves. This can also change the settled opinion about the white characters. And this narratives which written from the perspective of the first person can show the differences between masters and the effects made by masters towards slaves’ personal development in more detail. 

This thesis uses the comparative approach and documentary study during the study as well as the precrittical response, including textual scholarship and historical-biographical approaches, and culture analysis. Through the analysis of white masters detail by detail and the conclusion of Douglass’s personal experience, finding out the main masters’ attitudes and mapping them as the requirement of this subject. The four kinds of masters studied in this thesis all played their own role in slave’s awareness awakening and their facilitation cannot be ignored in the abolition of slavery. 

Keywords : Slave society；White master； Character analysis； Black slaves

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

Introduction-1

1 A character analysis of the white masters in Fredrick Douglass’s slave narratives-3

1.1 The majority: cruel masters, who take pleasure in manifesting their barbarity-6

1.1.1 General introduction-7

1.1.2 Masters introduced in detail-7

1.1.3 Relevant background-10

1.2 Interest-oriented masters: they see slaves as tools-11

1.2.1 General introduction-11

1.2.2 Masters who keep their status by cruelty-11

1.2.3 Masters who get their wealth and status by cruelty-13

1.3 Passive masters: angels with broken wings-14

1.3.1 General introduction-14

1.3.2 Masters introduced in detail-14

1.4 Liberal masters: they have awareness of abolitionism-15

1.4.1 General introduction-15

1.4.2 Masters introduced in detail-15

1.4.3 Relevant background-16

2 Analyzing the process of Douglass’s consciousness awakening from his experiences-17

2.1 Beginning of his awareness-17

2.2 The desire for freedom becomes stronger and reaches to a climax-19

2.3 His determination wavered-20

2.4 The desire burnt again and Douglass managed to get rid of slavery-21

3 The white masters’ attitude that helped Douglass’s consciousness awakening-22

3.1 The turning points that helped Douglass to acquire his identity as a free individual-22

3.2 The possible attitudes those white masters may represent towards the black people-23

3.2.1 Cruel masters-23

3.2.2 Interest-oriented masters-23

3.2.3 Passive masters-24

3.2.4 Liberal masters-24

Conclusion-25

References-27

Acknowledgment-28