The American Value System in Frederick Douglass' Slave Narrative

In this insightful exploration, this thesis delves into the primary and secondary values reflected in Frederick Douglass’ seminal work, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” It examines how these values shape our understanding of American identity, revealing underlying themes that are often implicit yet significant. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the study analyzes Douglass’ unique presentation of American values within the context of the slave narrative genre, while also considering the historical, cultural, and sociological dimensions of the USA. The research draws on key primary sources, including Douglass’ writings and critical analyses by scholars such as Robin Williams and Luther Luedtke, to categorize and assess the core and secondary values of American society. This thesis aims to aid American studies by highlighting the importance of Douglass’ work in understanding the American value system, ultimately contributing to a deeper appreciation of his narrative and its implications for contemporary discourse on identity and values in America.