"Frederick Douglass" - Hayden

This poem depicts a man who chose to and succeeded in his defiance of society in order to contribute back that same society he defied. The wisdom of this poem proves that with freedom comes consequences. “This liberty. This beautiful and terrible thing” shows that being free is not always easy. It is poignant in a way that shows a white girl that being a newly freed black man is difficult but eventually allows for a vision of a better future. In my life, freedom is second nature, not having to worry about the still existing prejudice against me. Frederick Douglass didn’t have it as easy, but he chose to continue living and continue his dream. This entire poem is testimony to the author’s knowledge of Douglass and the period in which he lived.