If the lineal descendants of Ham are alone to be scripturally enslaved, it is certain that slavery at the south must soon become
unscriptural; for thousands are ushered into the world, annually, who, like myself, owe their existence to white fathers, and those fathers most frequently their own masters. What is one effect of Douglass's allusion to the biblical story of the sons of Ham in his memoir?
It acknowledges the fact that enslaved people have been cursed by God and gives the text its bitter tone.
It suggests that Douglass does not view the Bible as an important text and makes his anger towards enslavers clear.
It refutes the notion that enslaved people are the descendants of Ham and makes readers view Douglass as deeply cynical.
It establishes Douglass as a well-read, educated man whose critical view of enslavement is a reasonable one.
