concerning old subjects also qualify an author. The core of this criterion remains the insightfulness of the author into the theme he chooses. Lasting themes, creative presentation of subject matter pertaining to the themes, and impact qualify an author’s works for inclusion in the American canon of literature. Frederick Douglass’s autobiography, Narrative of the Life, qualifies the author for a place in the canon because it contains a timeless theme, original subject matter, and impacted the public at the time of its writing. However, both of Douglass’s first two autobiographies deserve recognition as works of literary importance. However, his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, weakens when compared to the chosen criteria. His first autobiography, Narrative of the Life also contains some weak points, but still warrants a place in the hall of great American literature. Narrative of the Life appears rudimentary when first compared to his next autobiography, yet it contains all the basic seeds of the other. Douglass furthered his education greatly during the ten years between the writing of the two books, yet the sophistication apparent in the second autobiography does little to boost its importance. The theme, subject matter, and impact of both works resemble each other too closely for the second to be considered a wholly original and remarkable work, because the initial creativity required for the first autobiography hardly compares to the second. Douglass reserves some extra details for the second book, but his creativity and subject matter remain mostly the same. In Narrative of the Life, Douglass displays a true talent for conveying his theme, and the subject matter concerning the terrible effects of oppression. His recycled theme in My Bondage and My Freedom lowers the book’s standing when compared to his first autobiography, although the theme remains as relevant, important, and timeless. The ...
