Describe symbolism in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself by Frederick Douglass

In Chapter Five, Douglass' act of cleaning off "what would be called by pig- drovers the mange," can be seen as symbolic of his intense desire to wash away the filth of slavery that has accumulated over the years on his soul. Washing away the "mange" of a pig on his skin, may be his way of expressing that he was actually washing away the animalistic character that had been attributed to him at the plantation.