In “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave,” Douglass discusses the deplorable conditions in which he and his fellow slaves suffered. While on Colonel Lloyd's plantation, slaves received "a monthly allowance of eight pounds of pork and a bushel of corn" (Douglass 224). Their annual rations of clothing were no better; Given the type of work they did in the field, the little clothing they were given deteriorated quickly. The lack of food and clothing corresponded to the terrible living conditions. After working all day in the fields, with very little rest the night before, they must sleep on the hard, uncomfortably cramped ground with only one blanket to protect them from the cold. If we add to this the irresponsible and abusive use of power by the overseer, it is astonishing to see that three to four hundred slaves did not rebel. Slave owners recognized that being able to restrain and control slaves required more than physical violence. Therefore, by being able to shape slaves into the submissive and servile property they desired, slave owners manipulated them by distorting religion, instilling fear, breaking family bonds, making them dependents, giving them an incorrect vision of freedom and denying them education. Slave owners imposed a perverse form of Christianity on slaves, which condoned slavery. According to this false Christianity, the slavery of “black Africans is justified because they are the descendants of Ham, one of the sons of Noah; in one biblical story, Noah cursed Ham’s descendants to be slaves” (Tolson 272). Slavery was further validated by the many examples contained in the Bible. These examples were thought to confirm that God tolerated slavery. Douglass's master... middle of paper ... understanding of freedom. By denouncing the wrongs done to slaves, Douglass contributed greatly to the abolitionist movement. He also took back some of the power and control from the slave owners, putting it in the hands of the slaves. Works Cited “The Colonial Period: The South Carolina Slave Code.” Gale Encyclopedia of American Law. Ed. Donna Batten. 3rd ed. Flight. 13. Detroit: Gale, 2011. 52-55. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. April 30, 2014. Boston, Nicholas. “The Slave Experience: Living Conditions.” PBS, 2004. Web. April 29, 2014. Douglass, Frederick. Story of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave. Professor David Hennessy, 1845. Tolson, Claudette L. “White Supremacy.” Encyclopedia of Race and Racism. Ed. Patrick L. Mason. 2nd ed. Flight. 4. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2013. 272-274. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. April 29. 2014.