Merriam Webster defines literature as “writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.” There is no doubt that the work of Douglass fits into this definition. His writing is elegant, well-structured, clearly worded, and has been studied across centuries. His Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass tells his story, and the stories of those around him, with the goal of informing people far removed from slavery of its true horrors. 

In order for it to achieve this goal, Narrative of the Life. had to fit this definition of literature. It needed to fit the standard for writing at the time, both to increase its readership and also to demonstrate that literature, a part of society, can also be partaken in by those excluded by society. His writing has the “excellence of form” given in the definition. He uses literary devices fluently, playing around with sentence structure and allusions in a masterful way.

“Permanent or universal interest” is also present in Douglass’ work. Most slave narratives published around the same time were written by white authors, telling the stories of enslaved people that they interviewed. Douglass stands out in that his narrative is written by himself. This gives his writing a certain authority, as he is speaking from his own experience. There was a large interest in Douglass’ writing when it was first published in 1845, and it still retains that interest today, as historical witness literature and as a proponent of a movement that shaped the course history.