Essay Prompt: Understanding Paradox through the Words of Frederick Douglass

In an essay, begin by defining the concept of a paradox and discuss its significance in literature and rhetoric. Then, analyze the statement by Frederick Douglass, 'I was a slave in form, but no longer a slave in fact,' to explore the paradoxical nature of his experience. Explain how Douglass's situation as a slave, who has mentally emancipated himself, embodies a paradox. Discuss the implications of this paradox in the context of Douglass's life and the broader struggle for freedom and human rights. Support your analysis with evidence from Douglass's autobiography.

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