Frederick Douglass


 

 

Frederick Douglass

 

 

 

The two stories correspond with each other in the sense that both stories are referring to wild creatures that are attempting to be "domesticated."  Mr. Covey  and other slave owners viewed their servants to be wild and in need of taming.  By learning to domesticate the wild oxen on his own, Frederick Douglass is actually being domesticated by his owner.  The second story discusses a boy who has lost his oxen and when he finds them he is forced to be harsh with them due to their rebellious nature after being free and wild in their time away from their master.  Although the story is a metaphor for the boy's own spirit, it can also be used as a metaphor for the Frederick Douglass story.  Mr. Covey sets Frederick Douglass off on his own, knowing that the task would be hard and dangerous for his slave.  In doing this, he is attempting to toughen his servant and force him to obey him, no matter what the request.