Focus:
* Keller: Focuses on overcoming physical disability (blindness and deafness) and the challenges of learning and communication in a world designed for the able-bodied.
* Douglass: Focuses on the horrors of slavery, the fight for freedom, and the struggle for racial equality.
Theme:
* Keller: Emphasizes the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity, the importance of education, and the transformative power of love and support.
* Douglass: Highlights the injustice of slavery, the brutality of slaveholders, and the importance of fighting for human rights and dignity.
Tone:
* Keller: Generally optimistic and inspiring, focusing on personal growth and achievement.
* Douglass: Often bleak and passionate, reflecting the harsh realities of slavery and the fight for liberation.
Style:
* Keller: Written in a clear and straightforward style, often using vivid imagery to describe her experiences.
* Douglass: Employs a more powerful and rhetorical style, using powerful metaphors and anecdotes to illustrate the horrors of slavery and the need for change.
Audience:
* Keller: Appeals to a broad audience, as her story resonates with anyone who has faced challenges and strives for a better life.
* Douglass: Initially written for an abolitionist audience, aiming to expose the horrors of slavery and galvanize support for its abolition.
Impact:
* Keller: Her story has become an enduring testament to the human potential for overcoming adversity and a source of inspiration for people with disabilities and their families.
* Douglass: His narrative was instrumental in fueling the abolitionist movement and his writings continue to inspire activists working for racial justice and equality.
In summary, while both works share the common thread of overcoming adversity, their specific focuses, themes, tones, and styles reflect the distinct experiences and goals of their authors. Keller's story emphasizes the individual journey towards overcoming physical limitations, while Douglass's narrative focuses on the collective struggle against a system of oppression.