When Frederick Douglass first arrives at the Auld household, Mrs. Auld initially treats him with kindness and compassion. She shows a maternal instinct, teaching him the basics of reading and writing, which was uncommon for enslaved people at the time. However, her demeanor changes under the influence of her husband, who discourages her from educating Douglass, ultimately leading her to adopt a more oppressive attitude towards him. This shift highlights the corrupting power of slavery and its impact on relationships.
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