Douglass depicts both
mental and physical abuse perpetuated by slave overseers. For example, as a young child,
Douglass observes an overseer whipping his aunt because the overseer fancies her and is jealous
that she has a boyfriend.
Later, Douglass himself experiences both physical
and emotional abuse. Covey, his overseer, has a reputation for breaking slaves. Douglass,
working as a field hand, describes his treatment at Covey's hands:
I had been at my new home but one week
before Mr. Covey gave me a very severe whipping, cutting my back, causing the blood to run, and
raising ridges on my flesh as large as my little finger.
In addition perpetuating physical abuse, Covey aims to convince his slaves that they are not
human. Douglass details his efforts to prove to Covey that he is a man. When Douglass's fellow
slave gives him a root to protect him, Douglass derives enough emotional strength from this
symbol of power to fight back against Covey. After this incident, Covey does not
threaten...
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