In "My Bondage and My Freedom," Frederick Douglass describes Mrs. Auld primarily in the past tense, reflecting on his experiences with her as a young enslaved boy. He recalls her initial kindness and compassion before she was influenced by the institution of slavery, which hardened her demeanor. This shift in her character illustrates the corrupting effects of slavery on both enslaved individuals and their enslavers. Douglass's use of the past tense emphasizes the transformation he witnessed and its impact on his understanding of freedom and humanity.
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