Critical Introduction on Frederick Douglass' Narrative

Patrick Horn's critical introduction for The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass discusses the significance of the escaped slave's autobiography and the impact it has on American history. This critical introduction is a detailed yet brief summary of Frederick Douglass and his journey to freedom. Surprisingly, the writer focuses primarily on the plot of the narrative rather than the literary elements and rhetorical strategies that Douglass is famous for using. The critical introduction for Harper's Magazine did not summarize as much. This may be a result of having an array of subjects to write about, as opposed to the single subject of Douglass' life. The tone for both critical introductions are informational because they tell the reader what to expect in each writing. There is also a sense of excitement as the writers discuss the each work.