Born a slave, Frederick Douglass' work as an abolitionist, writer, and orator arguably made him the most important and influential black American leader from the 19th century. In his book, The Story of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he discusses his life as a slave for various masters and finally but briefly recounts his escape to New York where he would live as a free man and begin his fight and trial against slavery . Douglass's different representations of his masters constitute the most significant theme of his story. Douglass believed his first master, Captain Aaron Anthony, to be his father. It depicts Captain Anthony as a cruel man who took pleasure in beating and whipping his slaves, especially his Aunt Hester. On one particular occasion, Douglass witnessed his master force his aunt into the kitchen, strip her naked, and whip her until her blood flowed freely. This marked Douglass's introduction to slavery as a young boy and forever shaped his view of slavery. At the age of seven, Captain Anthony sent Douglass to work for his second master, Hugh Auld, Captain Anthony's son....