cing that self into the tradition of American autobiography, s/he provides proof of "American" identity (91). This can be seen in Douglass’s constant quest for knowledge. In the beginning, he focuses on his total ignorance so that throughout the narrative, it is easy for the reader to understand the progress he has been making. The best example of the mind requiring liberation before the body is Douglass’s fight with Covey. This man mentally abuses his slaves by making them fear his constant watch. The fear is a direct result of the threat of punishment if they do not adhere to his strict rules: they will be beat. In beating his slaves, Covey turns them into just another body; he never sees their mind. Douglass wants to be move than just another body. He needs to free his mind in order to free his body. In order to gain his freedom, Douglass must use his body and physically fight Covey. Through this fight, he frees his mind of the fear of ever being whipped again. Douglass claims that he “was never again what might be called fairly whipped, though I remained a slave four years afterwards” (43). Through this episode, Douglass proves that first the mind must be liberated, and the body will eventually (maybe not immediately) follow.The relationship between the body and the mind is again seen in the beating of Aunt Hester. The first knowledge of slavery Douglass has is that of his Aunt Hester being treated as only a body. She is tied up, beaten and called derogatory names (4-5). In this incident, it is clear that Douglass uses the body (although not his own in this incident) to gain knowledge which will eventually lead to freedom.Because she is a woman and a slave, Linda Brent is more vulnerable to being only a body and not a mind. Linda’s mistress taught her how to read; this goes against Brent’s gender and racial identity. Because of this, her mind is eventually freed and she sees nothi...
