Narrative of Frederick Douglass
In paragraph 1, explain Douglass's reference when he says, "few had the virtue or the vice to resist?" (CH.3)
Vice and virtue is paradoxical. They are opposites.
what is the significance of the Columbian Orator? what entries had the greatest impact of Douglass?
This was a book Douglass was reading. his favorite passages were about the Catholic emancipation and a slave emancipation.
Syntax Chapter 6
" My early instruction was all out of place... Her face made of heavenly smiles, and her voice of tranquil music... As to himself, it could do him no good, but a great deal of harm." - Although sometimes Frederick uses compound-complex sentence structure, most of his sentences are simple or complex. He does this to be more relatable and to be able to convey his message in a more easily readble way.
Language Chapter 6
"From that moment I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom. It was just what I wanted, and I got it at a time I least expected it..." - Frederick uses informal language to easily communicate his ideas. By using common words, relatable stories, emotional appeal, imagery, and other types of figurative language, Frederick directly speaks to the reader in a way he/she can understand.
how does Dougalss end his narrative?
Douglass ends his story by saying that as an ex-slave, he initially felt uneasy speaking to a white crowd, but he overcame feelings of inferiority and became an ardent orator and advocate of abolition.
Speaker Chapter 6
Frederick Douglass
What type of reasoning does Frederick Douglass use to determine his age? (CH.1)
Frederick estimates his age to be 27/28 years old because he heard his master say,"some time during 1835, I was 17 years old." - Starts to gather evidence, logos, and uses more specific reasonings to determine his age
What type of language does Douglass use when describing his "kind master?" (CH.1)
The kind master is the moms master. It's sarcastic.
Why does Douglass confess to feeling "cursed" by his reading and thinking?
The more Dougalss read and understood, the more he hated those that enslaved him. Douglass realized that slaves were stolen from Africa and slaves were not given basic human rights. Having this knowledge was a curse. He wanted to be free or dead.
Imagery Chapter 6
"The head, neck, and shoulders of Mary were literally cut to pieces. I have frequently felt her head, and found it nearly covered with festering sores, caused by the lash of her cruel mistress... The girls seldom passed her without saying, "Move faster you black gip!" at the same time giving them a blow with the cowskin over the head ansd shoulders, often drawing blood." - He uses this imagery to paint a picture of the creulty of slaves. This type of imagery adds to the authors purpose: to demonstrate the cruelness of slave owners and that he wants to be educated to badly in order to escape this madness.
Explain the proverb at the end of the passage (Ch.5)
"This good spirit was from God..." They believed in God above all else, and prayed that he would do what is best for them and keep them safe.
Audience of the Book
Abolishinist Cause/ educated white men
according to Dougalss allowing slaves holiday time actually benefits the slave owner more than the slave. why?
Between Christmas and New Years slaves not required to perform labor other than feeding and caring for livestock. They are expected to indulge and drink heavily which makes them feel really bad thus relating a sick feeling with privileges of freedom. that is what slave owners think will happen BUT slave owners use it to trick the slaves and humiliate them.
why are the last 6 months with Covey better?
Dougalss stands up to Covey and draws blood. Covey no longer treats or beats Douglass. The only reason Douglass can think why Covey didn't turn him to the whipping post is because Covey does not want to ruin his reputation for breaking slaves.
Douglass meets his new master in St. Micheals. Describe Thomas Aulds and Dougalss at this time
Dougalss was sent to St. Michaels to live with Master Thomas. Douglass knew Thomas as a boy but now he was his Master. Thomas was mean and did not feed his slaves well so Dougalss was hungry.
Why does Douglass begin his story by admitting what he doesn't know? (CH.1)
Douglass does this to illustrate the illiteracy of the slaves. It shows that slaves are not allowed to know/or told any personal information about themselves. This will play a major role/foreshadows later in the story when he begins to educate himself and fight for the freedom of slaves. I also believe that Douglass admits what he doesn't know because he does not understand how anyone can justify slavery. Slave masters did many things that Douglass did not understand. I think Douglass was being honest in telling his story. - it was the wish of masters to keep their slaves "ignorant" - Basic human right to know their birthday - Slave masters want to keep their slaves ignorant -Douglass was not even certain who his father was - Have more control - No uprisings - By starting off what he doesn't know shows his achievements and how he overcame the barrier to educate himself. - Being honest by saying what he does not know it makes him more trustworthy - He says he didn't know anything so he doesn't appear as a threat because of his audience. Because if your educated then you are free and you can rebel. It keeps him safe by not knowing anything
why is Dougalss disappointed after finally arriving in New Bedford, Mass.?
Douglass expects that the South has wealth because use slaves to make their money. it's beautiful & wealthy, they can function without slavery
After hearing Mr. Aulds tell Sophia not to educate a slave what happened to Dougalss
Douglass realized that the key to get out of slavery was to learn and become educated. Becoming educated would take away a white man's power. As mentioned in the beginning of the book, Douglass did not understand slavery or why certain things were kept from slaves such as their date of birth. This was the realization that withholding information and knowledge from a slave allowed white men to have power over the slave.
why is Dougalss sent back to the Llyod Plantation after owner dies?
Douglass was considered property. Douglass's master died with no will. As property Douglass had to go back to the plantation to be valued as a piece of property. he was valued with cattle.
Why isn't Mr. Gore punished?
He became famous among other overseers. His crime was not even submitted to the judicial process. What slave would testify against him? It was not considered a crime to kill a slave.
what was Douglass's opinion of Colonel Lloyd, his master?
He had a fine garden and the best horses and riding equipment. He punished Old Barney and young Barney for things they had no control over. He would whip and demean Old Barney. He was wealthy and owned thousands of slaves. Colonel Lloyd did not believe in justice or fairness for his slaves. He would punish and sell slaves without cause. Colonel Lloyd expected his slaves to be grateful and call him a "kind" master even if it was not true.
Covey is likened to a snake as a master of deception. in what ways does he deceive?
He would pretend as if he was going into town making the slaves think he was not watching. then all of a sudden he would appear from behind a tree yelling at them. he would slide on his stomach like a snake to sneak up on the slaves.
how does Douglass contrast his childhood on the plantation to his arrival in Baltimore?
His childhood on the plantation, he was dirty, had to fight for food, and had not family connection. In Baltimore, he had to be clean, met a white child that seemed kind, and he felt something was going to change for him.
Subject Chapter 6
How he began his education and learned the key to freedom
How does Douglass react to the turning point in his life? How does he explain a change in some of his core values? (Ch.5)
If he had never left the plantation, he might never have had a chance to escape from slavery. Instead of writing this autobiography, he might have been a slave his whole life. He realized that he no longer need be always afraid of all whites, that there were some whites who would be kind to him.
How does Douglass react to the turning point in his life? How does this explain a change in some of his core values? (CH.3)
If he had never left the plantation, he might never have had a chance to escape from slavery. Instead of writing this autobiography, he might have been a slave his whole life. He realized that he no longer need be always afraid of all whites, that there were some whites who would be kind to him.
Explain the transformation of Sophia Auld
In the beginning Sophia was kind and almost angelic. That changed after her husband told her that it was unsafe to teach a slave to read. A slave would become unmanageable if he learned and all a slave needed to do was obey. From then on Sophia was harsh to slaves.
Tone Chapter 6
Insistent because: He learns the key to freedom and says he will do whatever it takes and push himself beyond his limit to educate himself.
Chapter 6 Diction
Kind hearted, finest feelings, blighting, dehumanizing, heavenly smiles, irresponnsible power, harsh, horrid discord, demon, angelic face - all words to describe his new mistress - He uses these words to exaggereate the shift in her behaviors. She once was this "kind-hearted woman" but who quickly turned into a typical slave owner. This type of dicition adds to the authors purpose: to demonstrate the cruelness of slave owners.
What does Douglass's description of the way the children were fed illustrate about the children? (Ch.5)
They were not fed often so they did not know how to properly act. It also shows the way they were treated, like animals.
Douglass appeals to his master, Thomas, for justice after Covey beats him. why doesn't Thomas Aulds help him?
Thomas Aulds tells Dougalss that Covey is a good man and taht Douglass belongs to Covey for a year. Thomas also doesnt want to lose one year wages that Covey is paying.
Douglass describes Austin Gore as having character traits of a first-rate overseer. what are these traits?
Mr. Gore had worked at one of the other farms. He was ambitious and wanted to work at the home farm so he would outrank all the other overseers. He was ambitious, proud, cruel, smart/artful, and stubborn.
what is Mr. Gore's defense of his actions?
Mr. Gore shot and killed a slave for not following his order. His defense was the slave would set an example for the other slaves. If the other slaves saw that you could get away with not following orders, they would all not follow orders. this would lead to the freedom of slaves and the enslavement of whites.
What does the phrase "a suitable distance' imply about Winder? (CH.3)
Mr. Winder was Colonel Llyod's son-in law. He gives severe lashings, possibly worse then his father in law.
what is the significance of this quotation. "I was hungry and he gave me meat. I was thirsty and he gave me drink. i was a stranger and he took me in"
Nathan Johnson whom Dougalss lived with in New Bedford, ate better, lived in a better house and read more than the slave owners.
Douglass refers to an argument and Noah's cursing. What is this referring to?
One of Noah's son Ham is believed to be cursed, and the curse references his people will be slaves. Slave owners have justified slavery stating that Africans are decedents of Ham.
why is Douglass outraged over his grandmother's fate?
She was deemed too old and not valuable so they sent her out to the woods. She was sent to the woods with no way to take care of herself. She spent her life taking care of the Master's family and they could not take care of her. She was sent to die.
What type of figurative language is used when comparing slaves to horses in the first paragraph? (CH.1)
Simile
what observations does Douglass make about slaves in the city? how do his observations challenge 19th century views of domesticity and feminine delicacy?
Slaves in the city were generally treated better than slaves on a plantation. It was expected that slave owners dress and feed well their slaves. There was shame in not feeding your slave or cruelty to your slave. On the plantation, there was shame if you were not cruel to your slaves. Mrs. Hamilton owned slaves in the city. She was far worse than Mr. Hamilton. She sat and whipped her slaves and drew blood constantly. Her slaves had constant sores from the whippings they received from Mrs. Hamilton. This observation changes the way you would think of a woman. Typically you think of the man as the cruel and brutal one to the slaves.
explain Douglass's impression of the slaves' songs as evidence against slavery
Slaves sang these songs not because they were happy but because they were sad. He compares a slave singing to a man left alone on a desolate island.
why does Douglass compare a slave running errands at the Great House Farm to a representative in Congress?
The Great House was at the home plantation. The home plantation was the center of all the farms. All direction, orders, and dispute settlements were done at the home plantation. Operations outside of farming were done at the home plantation. The home plantation was so big and had many houses. It was called the Great House Farm because it had so many houses. A slave getting sent to the Great House Farm was considered a privilege because the overseer had confidence in the slave and slaves wanted to get out of the field. The field work was so hard that running an errand seemed great. Being elected to go to the Great House Farm was special to a slave like a man being elected to Congress. This reference was used to point out how different a slaves' joy is to a man's joy.
contrast the religious rituals and values of the household and the aspirations of Christianity.
Thomas becomes very involved with his church and prays morning, noon, and night. But he fails to take care of his slaves. Dougalss says that Thomas used his new found religion to justify his cruelty. He whipped a salve so bad and quoted the Bible as if he was the master. The household would pray and feed those in need but never treated the slaves the same.
What does the story of Old Barney and Young Barney suggest about Colonel Llyod's punishments? (CH.3)
The boys were in charge of the horses. Colonel Llyod gave severe punishments no matter the circumstance. Wether it was a suspicion or he actually saw them doing it. He had no justice. They were never safe from punishment and no excuse could shield them. If the horses was to hot, not properly fed, he ate too soon, etc.. he received the worst of lashings. There is no reality of escaping - OB and YB Justification to beat someone for no reason - OB and YB " a still tounges makes a wise head." It's better to just be quiet Complaining makes the lashing worse
What is the significance of the garden of tempting fruit? (CH.3)
The garden of the tempting fruit shows the mistreatment of the slaves. They were not even allowed to eat the fruit of the tree and the slaves usually took the blame for the other "white boys" who would occasionally steal the fruit. In addition, it shows how little they fed the slaves to keep them at bay. the garden is an allusion to the garden of Eden It gives the slave owners another reason to be able to abuse them. It gives them justification and reason Leads to reason: they used their Christianity their justify their reasons for slavery. (just like the Ham curse) They know they are going to get abused but they are so hungry so they are willing to take the chance
Explain the relationship between Master David Lloyd and the boy. (Ch.5)
The relationship between Master David Lloyd and the boy was described as "quite advantageous." In his spare time, the boy would help Lloyd in finding the birds after he shot them. Master Daniel became attached to him and protected him. He made sure that the older boys were not to pick on the boy and Master Daniel always shared his cakes with the boy.
The memories Douglass has of his mother suggest what type of tone? (CH.1)
The tone when talking about his mother is disconnected and unaffected, he wanted this love and longed for affection. Although she is allowed to come and see him, there is a longing for the relationship.
describe the role of the overseer
There was an overseer for each of the farms. The overseer ran the operation of the farm by waking up the slaves, making sure the slaves were working on time, and whipping the slaves. The overseer was in the field making sure the slaves worked constantly. Mr. Severe was one of Douglass's overseers. He was so cruel that he whipped slaves even after they bled.
How does lloyd's plantation operate?
There were over 20 other farms located in other places. All the farms received their direction from the home plantation. Having so many farms that produced so much allowed Douglass's master to have a great number of slaves. The home plantation was considered the central government of all the farms. Any disputes of the overseers was settled in the home plantation. Slave received their monthly allowance of food and clothing at the home plantation. The home plantation had operations of shoemaking, blacksmithing, and grain grinding.
Explain the use of understatement as it is used in this passage. (Ch.5)
When he says he was sort of advantageous and sort of a protector was an understatement because he did these things in all of its entirety. Master Daniel really was helpful to the point where he was key to his survival. If he wasn't protected by the other boys or wasn't given cake, he would have been beaten up and starving more often
Mr. Freeland was the
best master beside Douglass being the master of himself.
How does Fredrick learn to write?
by copying the letters at the shipyard.
What is known about Douglass family?
mother - Harriett Bailey His mother's parents were Isaac and Betsy Bailey It was believed that Douglass's master was also his father.
how does Edward Covey attempt to break Douglass' spirit?
severe beatings that usually occurred weekly.
Purpose Chapter 6
to explain the key to freedom, why slave owners are against it, and why Frederick wanted to achieve it more then anything
Occasion Chapter 6
to make aware of the bad treatment of slaves
Dougalss doesn't tell the specifics of how he escaped. why?
to protect those that helped him. and didn't want other slaveholders to figure out.
Details Chapter 6
"Very soon after I went to live with Mrs.Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A,B,C. After I had learned this, she assisted me in learning to spell words of three or four letters. Just at this point in my progress, Mr.Auld found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs.Auld to instruct me further..." - This short anecdote/details are essential in the authors purpose. This exact story leads to Fredericks finding out of the key to freedom and the importance of education. This defining moment shapes the rest of his life. It is also a realization about the power of a white man to enslave a black man. This essentially sums up his purpose.
Dougalss cites other examples of murder. what effect does this have on the white community?
Another example was of a man killing a slave and laughing about it. Later he would brag about killing a slave. Slaves were seen as property and the whites could treat them however and did not worry about punishment.
what is Dougalss's reaction to being sent to St. Michael's and why?
Douglass was sad to leave Baltimore. he would miss the boys that had taught him so much.
This chapter concludes with the assertion that slaves dont tell the truth about their condition. How does Douglass support that conclusion?
Slaves would randomly be asked by a white man how does your master treat you. If the salve did not respond that he/she is treated well, the slave would be sold. To be sold means that you would be separated from any family you had. You were sold immediately. Other slaves were sent as spies to ask other slaves. It meant something to the Master that his slave was happy with the Master. This was part of the Master controlling the slave. using the fear of being sold to keep the slave under control.
What does the phrase "dictate of humanity" mean in the context of the passage? (CH.1)
Society "tells" the man that it is not humane to keep his black child. If so, he would have to whip it like the other slaves, and what a terrible thing to do to your on child. Therefore, he has to sell them. - Slaves can't change the color of the skin - Slaves are dehumanized to the point where we put them on plantations work them to death like animals. Then they can justify killing them. - There were people who didn't live slavery but they were bystanders- sitting around doing nothing. - They are actually being nice to sell the half white and black children so they don't have to ship their own children/brother and sister. The wife (white) is going to treat the child the worst cause it's not her child.
what happens in the Baltimore household over the 7 years to Frederick, Sophia, Hugh, and Tommy Auld?
Thomas went to school and Sophia did everything she could to make sure that Douglass did not have access to books or newspapers.