A Greek Hero?

I completely agree that the story of Madison Washington is one about a Heroic and
symbolic character. This can been seen through the conversion experiences of every man who comes into contact with Madison Washington. First Listwell, and later with the shipmate who had dealt with him on the Creole, but ends his speech by saying: “I confess gentleman that I was in the presence of superior man; one who, had he been a white man I could have followed willingly and gladly in any honorable enterprise” (Page 50). These conversions show Washington to be more than a man, he is a great superior figure, whom men from all aspects of life (farm, sailor etc.) will “follow willingly.”
Douglass further paints Madison Washington as a hero, through his reports of the action. There was never one point in the story in which we, as the reader, directly read about action in the story. This is seen in Washington’s explanation of how he ended up on Listwell’s farm, his escape from slavery, he re-capturing and finally through the discussion of the ship hands we are shown the mutiny on the Creole. This narration of action gives the story an air of myth because we as readers are separated from the greatness of Washington, which places him on a pedestal of heroism, above the common reader. This reported action is also like a Greek play, in which the action is never seen on stage. I think that Douglass was utilizing this in order to create this air of mysticism around the great figure of Madison Washington, as well as proving himself as a highly intelligent man and writer.
Furthermore in this story, Douglass really creates a distance between the reader and Washington’s character because he is supposed to be a symbol, a beacon of hope and greatness, not a tragic or flawed hero to which we as people can relate. On the contrary through this narration technique that mirrors Greek plays, Madison Washington is placed in the same category as ancient Greek heroes – the first before the American forefathers- creators of liberty, equality and democracy.

( I couldn't figure out how to change my name? so... Emma Thorne)