At the end of his autobiography, Douglass spoke about his initial difficulties speaking publicly about slavery: "It was a severe cross, and I took it up reluctantly. The truth was, I felt myself a slave, and the idea of speaking to white people weighed me down. I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom and said what I desired with considerable ease." The Pygmalion effect (otherwise known as a "self-fulfilling prophecy") refers to the situation that occurs when great expectations are placed upon people, and as a result, they perform better. How does Douglass’ belief in himself, and the belief that others have in him, help him to succeed in this new forum of public speaking?
