FD Study Guide
40. While Frederick is an employee at Mr. Gardner's shipyard, the white ships' carpenters go on strike. Why?
This is because they don't want to work by colored people.
4. Anthony
This is his master.
3. Harriet Bailey
This is his mother.
10. What is the significance of the following date: September 3, 1838?
This is the day Fredrick escaped to freedom.
2. Captain Thomas Auld and Lucretia Auld
This was the master's daughter and his daughter's husband.
7. slave songs - describe the misunderstanding
This was the way for slaves to cry for freedom and it got rid of the assumption that slaves don't have feelings.
4. Because he feels what he says in the quote in number 3, Frederick envies his "fellow-slaves" for what? And wishes that he were either _____or a _____"
stupid, beast
2. Who is Frederick's father?
He is rumored to be his master.
4. What was the purpose of Mr. Wilson's Sabbath school? What happened to it?
It was a way to teach slaves the bible.
15. FINAL THINKING QUESTION. When Frederick surveys the workingmen on the docks in New Bedford, he says that each of them seems to display "a sense of his own dignity as a man." How can you use this observation to develop an understanding of an important theme that runs throughout the Autobiography?
Slavery is something that destroys a person's soul by deciding they are superior and treating people like animals. But not having slavery one is more whole, more sympathetic, and has more integrity. People who resort to slavery are not hardworking, they use another person's pain for their benefit.
5. Find the biblical quote that Master Thomas uses to justify his repeated beating of the lame kitchen slave Henny? What does Frederick think is the real reason for his master's cruelty?
"He that knoweth his master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes". He was using religion to justify the cruel things he was doing.
15. If Frederick Douglass was born in 1818, about how old was be when he had his final confrontation with Mr. Covey?
15 years old.
Chapter 2 1. Colonel Lloyd - how many slaves does he own?
3-400 Slaves
3. How many slaves does Frederick Douglass estimate that Col. Lloyd owned? How many of them were employed on the home plantation (see chapter 2) and how many on the master's other farms and plantations?
3-400 slaves, 1,000 in all.
18. About how long does it take Frederick to walk the roughly seven miles from Mr. Covey's farm to his master's store in St. Michael's? To think about -- Does this seem to you like a long or a short time? Why?
5 hours, it seems like a long time.
11. Who or what were "freedom's swift-winged angels?"
All the sails boats he saw in the ocean.
5. In general, does Frederick seem to think that being a slave in Baltimore is better or worse than being a slave on Col. Lloyd's plantation? - Find and mark at least 2 CDs.
Better because Sophia is kind and it is looked down upon to be mean to slaves there.
39. After his return to Baltimore, Frederick is hired out to a shipbuilder "to learn how to caulk." What is it exactly that he is being trained to do? — you'll probably need a dictionary to help with this one.
Calking is fixing boats.
2. To whom was the term "unmanageable" applied by Mr. Gore later on in chapter 4? What had he done to earn that characterization? And how did Mr. Gore react to his behavior?
Demby, he refused to get out of the lake, so he was shot.
33. What is Frederick's emotional state on the night before the day they had decided upon for their escape? What "indescribable" fear does he reveal to Sandy early on the following morning?
Fredrick felt like someone knew about their plan He tells Sandy that he has a fear that someone betrayed him.
8. FINAL UNDERLINING QUESTION. In chapter 6, Frederick associates reading with the pathway from what to what?
From slavery to freedom.
14. Despite all this (the answer to number 13) Frederick does find one particular problem in New Bedford that reflects the same kind of racism he experienced in Baltimore. What is it?
He applied to go calk but the white people there did not want to work with a colored man.
11. Look back at your answer to number 1 in the first section of this assignment. Why do you think that Frederick's mistress was so concerned about him reading this kind of publication?
He could read something that might help him escape.
7. Describe the incident that leads Master Hugh to suspend Frederick's right to hire himself out. (Note: a "camp meeting" is a kind of Christian religious gathering with lots of singing and preaching. During the early 1 800s this kind of "meeting" was very popular with both white and African American Christians.) Why is Frederick's defense of his behavior so "troubling" to Master Hugh? Do you think that Master Hugh was right to be "troubled?"
He decided to go on a meeting without telling Master Hugh and giving the money to him. He found it troubling that he would leave without asking and that could lead him to running away.
12. Find the ladder image employed by Frederick Douglass in chapter 7 of his autobiography. How does he make use of it? And do you find that that use positive or negative in its tone?
He describes his knowledge of being a pit with no latter. He is being negative because there is no way out.
Chapter 11 1. At the very beginning of Chapter XI, Frederick tells us that he is not going to set down any of the actual details of his final escape from slavery. What is the reason that he gives for concealing this information? (NOTE: The Autobiography was originally published in 1845, 16 years before the beginning of the Civil War, so, annoying as it might be to modern readers, Frederick's unwillingness to reveal these details makes very good sense.)
He does this so other slave masters can't prevent slaves from escaping the way he did and he also wants to save the embarrassment of the people who helped them because it is looked down upon to help a slave.
42. After Frederick moves from the employment of Mr. Gardner to that of Mr. Walter Price, he quickly becomes a master caulker. How much money does he earn in this job? And what happens to it?
He earns six to seven daughters and gives it to Mr. Gardner.
20. What does the slave Sandy Jenkins convince Frederick to do as a way of avoiding the wrath of Mr. Covey? Does Sandy's strategy seem to work? What is Frederick's final evaluation of this strategy — with what particular word does he describe it?
He gives him a root to have on his right die and it works and he called it a virtue.
25. In recounting the passage of his first year with his new master, Douglass gives him particular credit for one thing — what is it?
He gives him the credit of being his best master.
24. While he was at Mr. Covey's, Douglass says that he often spent his Sunday afternoons watching the boats on Chesapeake Bay. While he lived with his new master, how did Douglass pass this free weekend time? To think about — What does Douglass hope to accomplish in this way?
He had a school for the slaves to teach them how to read.
6. Edward Covey is a relatively poor small farmer (he owns a single slave). Yet he is easily able to "rent" slaves from wealthy slaveholders to work his own fields. What is it about his reputation that makes this so easy for him?
He has the reputation of changing slaves.
12. Prior to his departure from New York, Frederick is joined by whom? And what do the two of them do before they leave?
He is joined by Anna Murray and they get married.
14. During his reflections on the image of freedom suggested by the ships he watches on Chesapeake Bay, Frederick thinks "I had as well be killed running as die standing." In your opinion, what idea is he trying to get across in this quote? Do you think he has a memory of anyone in particular in mind?
He is saying things can't get worse and he rather die standing up like Demby did.
10. What effect did Frederick's first 6 months with Mr. Covey have on the young slave? You should be able to indicate some of the specific and very powerful language that Frederick uses to describe his situation.
He lost hope and they tamed him (p.38).
13. How is Frederick's experience of life in New Bedford different from what he expected to find there? And how is it different from his previous experience of life in slave-holding Maryland? — List at least three concrete details to support your answer to each one of these questions.
He saw everyone working equally and did not hear the cries of whipping he also saw a lot of wealthy people and less poverty.
3. Frederick's evaluation of the underground railroad might seem pretty harsh to us today. After all, it was used as a road to freedom by countless slaves during the antebellum period (the exact number is still a matter of lots of historical debate). What justification does Frederick himself give for his judgment? And how does he feel personally about the work of escaped slaves like James Wilson and Harriet Tubman?
He says that everyone public says they are saving slaves with allows them to be easily caught, therefore doing more for the slave masters. He feels that it prevents other slaves from escaping by being so public but he still respects the people who have helped the slaves.
46. In describing his work as a master caulker, Frederick tells us that he is allowed by Master Hugh to contract for his own work (essentially to find jobs for himself to do) at the best wage that he can arrange. How does this arrangement conflict with what Bennet Barrow says about the employment of slaves in Ordinary Americans? And what feelings or reflections does this bit of freedom encourage in Frederick?
He says that no slave is aloud to go as he pleases and Fredrick does so. Whenever his condition is bad he can't think about freedom, but when he is contented he thinks more about it and wants it more.
29. Does Frederick decide to act out his plan on his own? If so, why? If not, with whom does he share his plot?
He shared his plot with Henry and John Harris; Charles Roberts; and Henry Bailey.
8. What is Frederick's response to Master Hugh's decision to suspend his hiring out privilege? (We might today call Frederick's strategy a kind of passive economic resistance.)
He stops getting hired by people and doesn't give him money.
16. How does Mr. Covey react to the sight of Frederick passed out on the ground of the treading yard, where he and some other slaves have been fanning wheat (separating the grain from the stalks)?
He tells him to get up and when he doesn't he kicks him.
22. Slaves in Frederick's experience are traditionally given the week between Christmas and New Year's as a holiday. Indicate one or two sentences where Frederick gives us his evaluation of this practice. To think about — Why does he feel the way he does?
He thinks its cruel because the slaveholders are giving an illusion of freedom. It makes them calm and not condradict them (p.44).
6. Why is Frederick suspicious of the two Irishmen he meets unloading a boat at one of the Baltimore docks? As a result of his conversation with them, what does he decides to do?
He thinks that by telling him to run away they might capture him. He decides to run away.
34. During the scuffle with the slave Henry, what does Frederick do with his forged pass? What happens (later) to the other passes?
He threw his pass into the fire later the other passes were eaten.
5. According to Master Thomas, to whom Frederick complained about his treatment in the spring of 1838, what provides the slave's best hope of happiness?
He told him to completely rely on him for everything and put it thoughtfulness aside.
9. Who was Caroline and how did Mr. Covey "use" her?
He used her as a breeder, so he could have more slaves.
32. How does the knowledge of reading and writing that Frederick has gained aid him and his companions in preparing to execute their plan?
He uses his knowledge of writing to forge passes from their master so that if they were caught, they could make it look like they weren't running away.
9. What is it that finally makes Frederick agree to return to work without protest under the terms and conditions that Master Hugh decides to set?
He wants to give Master Hugh more money so he is not suspicious so he can run away.
17. After realizing that Mr. Covey has "left [him] to his fate," what does Frederick resolve to do?
He wants to go to Master Hugh and tell him what Mr. Covey has done.
28. At the beginning of his second year with Mr. Freeland, Frederick decides to act at last upon some particular desire. How does he describe that desire while making a pun on his current master's name?
He wants to live on freeland.
4 . Mr. Severe
He was a cruel man who would whip slaves if they did not wake up.
5. Mr. Hopkins
He was a less cruel overseer who did not enjoy the pain of others.
7. What is it about Mr. Covey that makes it so easy for him to know exactly how much work a slave can do?
He was a poor man and could work too.
Chapter 4 1. At the beginning of Chapter 4, we are introduced to Col. Lloyd's new overseer, a man by the name of Mr. Austin Gore. Describe Mr. Gore briefly, and then relate that description to the following saying, described by FD as characteristic of the way that slaveholders look at the world: "It is better that a dozen slaves should suffer under the lash, than that the overseer should be convicted, in the presence of slaves, of having been at fault."
He was a proud, cruel man who would punish the slaves even if they weren't guilty.
2. Before leaving Col. Lloyd's plantation for Baltimore, Frederick tells us that he spends the best part of 3 days scrubbing himself in a creek and that, for the first time in his life, he "was working ... with the hope of reward." What was the reward that Frederick hoped to gain?
He was hoping to go to baltimore and receive better treatment.
7. In chapter 6, Frederick says: "In learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master, as to the kindly aid of my mistress." Using CDs, explain what Frederick means here.
He was inspired by Hugh because he said that a knowlegable slave would not be a slave and he thought he could be free by knowing how to read. Also Sophia helped teach him.
Chapters 9 & 10 1. What basic rule of slaveholding does Frederick's Master Thomas Auld routinely violate?
He was not noble and was inconsistant with his punishing.
4. When Master Hugh would occasionally give Frederick a few cents from the wages he was forced to turn over at the end of every week, he seems to have felt that this gesture would have an "encouraging" effect on the young slave. What effect does this strategy of encouragement in fact have on Frederick? And to how much of his wages does Frederick actually feel he is entitled?
His master wants to ease his conscience by giving him some money but he doesn't want to give him the luxury of that. He doesn't want the money because by giving him very little of it his master is basically telling him he doesn't deserve the whole thing.
21. During the climactic fight with Mr. Covey, how does the slave Hughes react to Covey's plea for help in tying Frederick up? What happens to him? How is the slave Bill's reaction to the situation different?
Hugh goes to Mr. Covey and he gets beaten up by Fredrick. Bill lets them fight it out.
44. Who do you think is responsible for betraying Frederick's plan to escape with his companions at Mr. Freeland's? What kind of evidence can you use to support your opinion? And what does your answer tell us about the conditions of life under slavery?
I think its Sandy is responsible for this because Fredrick told Sandy everything. This shows that under pressure a slave could crack no matter how loyal they seem.
6. When Frederick finally does work out an arrangement with Master Hugh for hiring out his own time, in whose favor does Frederick believe that arrangement to be? Why? And why, on these terms, does he nonetheless agree?
In Master Hugh's favor, but he agrees because it includes some of the responsibilities of a free man.
27. Frederick describes his final fight with Mr. Covey as "the turning point in my life as a slave." What does he mean by this? And by the assertion that "however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed when I could be a slave in fact?" -- This is one of the most important things that Frederick says in the whole book. How is it related to his earlier decision that "I had as well be killed running as die standing?'
It brought back everything about himself that he had ever kist being a slave and that made him want to be free even more. It made him feel brave and bold and like he could anything. He rather die standing up for what he believes in.
41. How does the strike affect Frederick, despite the fact that he is not a carpenter?
It could soon affect any other black working slave in the area.
Chapter 3 1. Describe Col. Lloyd's garden. Was it a popular place? What kinds of things grew there? And what clever strategy did Col. Lloyd use to try to keep his slaves from stealing fruit? Was it successful?
It was big and regularly visited, it had apples and oranges, and Colonial Lloyd covered the fence with tar so the slaves wouldn't get in.
38. In Frederick's own life, release from the Easton jail brings a very surprising turn of events. What is it?
Master Hugh gives him a second chance in Baltimore and bring him home.
19. Even though Mr. Covey seems to have seriously damaged a piece of his property, whose side does Frederick's master take in the dispute with Mr. Covey? — Indicate at least 3 specific things that Frederick's master says or does to support your answer.
Mr Covey. This is because he says he loses money if he takes him away, that Mr. Covey is a good man, and that he doesn't really trust Fredrick (p.41).
13. When Frederick refuses Covey's order to strip for a whipping following the incident with the oxen and the broken gate, he is merely attacked and beaten, not killed, as Demby had been earlier by the overseer Mr. Gore. What do you think accounts for the different outcome in Frederick's case? Why was he not simply killed by Covey as Demby had been by Mr. Gore?
Mr. Covey wants to keep his reputation of breaking slaves by intimidating and by killing fredrick it is ruined.
23. To whom is Frederick "rented out" following his year in the employ of Mr. Covey? List at least three particular ways in which Frederick's new master was different from Mr. Covey?
Mr. William Freeland, he is not rich and does not care about religion.
12. Does Frederick Douglass seem to think that religion has a positive or a negative effect on slaveholders? Please support your answer with specific examples from his description of his life with Master Thomas Auld. Is there any religious figure in this section of the book toward which Frederick seems sympathetic? What about Frederick's own religious position - does he believe in God? (Again, support your answer with a specific CD.)
Negative (p. 32). He thinks its there but doesn't trust it (pg. 39).
Chapters 7 & 8 l. After she decided that he ought not to read, nothing made Frederick's mistress in Baltimore angrier than to see him with a
Newspaper.
10. When he returns from Baltimore the second time at the end of chapter 8, what is Frederick's one regret?
Not running away.
3. VOCAB. F.D. says of Master Thomas after he has "found" religion: "I indulged a faint hope that his conversion would lead him to emancipate his slaves." What does the word "emancipate" mean?
Setting free.
35. After their capture by the constables, how does Master Freeland' s mother address Frederick? And why does she use that particular term?
She calls him the yellow demon because he put the idea into everyone's head.
5. Aunt Hester - what happened when she was in the company of Lloyd's Ned?
She was whipped and beaten by him.
8. What nickname do Covey's field hands have for him? How or why did he get it?
Snake, because he would sneak up on the slaves and beat them.
5. VOCAB. What is the meaning of the term "abolitionist?" Note: Frederick puzzles over the meaning of this word in chapter 7 (underline the relevant quote) and never really gives a clear answer to the question - you need to use a dictionary or some other reference to help him out.
Someone who wants to abolish something.
3. With whom was Frederick going to live in Baltimore? How many members were in the family, and what were their names? (HINT: the answers to these questions are NOT all on the same page.)
Sophia Auld, Hugh Auld, and Thomas Auld.
6. On his arrival in Baltimore, Frederick encounters something that he "had never seen before; it was a white face beaming with the most kindly emotions; it was the face of my new mistress, Sophia Auld." And he later describes her as "a woman of the kindest heart and finest feelings." To what does Frederick attribute the fact that Sophia is unlike any of the other white women in his experience? Does she remain that way throughout Frederick's stay in Baltimore? If not, in what way(s) does she change, and how does Frederick explain what happens? Do you find Frederick's explanation to be reasonable? - support your answer with CDs that refer to F.D.'s earlier experience of white women within the slave culture of rural Maryland.
Sophia has never had a slave, but was soon exposed to the culture. She taught him how to read and looked at him like a real person.
26. When Frederick complains to his master following his beating in the treading yard, his master describes Mr. Covey as a "good man." What do you think he means by this?
That Covey will not harm him because of his reputation and will act like a "good man".
11. What image does Frederick use in describing his feelings when he writes to a friend soon after his arrival in New York? And what "motto" does he adopt while there?
That of a unarmed mariner rescued by a friendly man-of-war from a pursuing pirate. "Trust no man"
l. What is suggested by Frederick not knowing his birthday? How do slaves keep track of time?
That slaves were treated like animals. They kept time according to the harvest and seasons.
3. In general, what was the status of killing a slave in Talbot County, Maryland during the time that Frederick Douglass was a slave there? Was it considered a crime? Give a couple of examples to support your answer. Do you think that the same might have been true in other parts of the slaveholding South as well. Why or why not?
The killing of slaves was somewhat justified and dutiful. For example the man who accidently crossed into the wrong property got shot.
7. About 3 1/2 years after first going to Baltimore, Frederick is forced to return to the plantation where he was born. Why?
The master Anthony and his son Richard died.
45. Describe the reactions of Master Hugh and Mistress Sophia to Frederick's beating at the hands of Mr. Gardner's white apprentices. What specific action does Master Hugh decide to undertake on Frederick's behalf? (To answer this question completely you need to know that "Esquire" as Frederick uses it in his narrative is a word employed to designate a lawyer.) What needs to happen in order for Master Hugh's decision to "work out" in Frederick's favor? What finally happens? And why?
The only way that they could be convicted would that a white man would testify. So they couldn't do anything about it because no white person would stand up for a colored one.
2. Indicate at least 4 adjectives that F.D. uses to describe Captain Auld. What does Frederick see as the source of his inability to manage slaves effectively? Do the slaves he owns respect him? Support your final answer with a particular CD.
The slaves don't respect him, they don't even call him master. Awkward, not noble, mean, and cruel. This was because he was not raised a slave holder.
13. Describe the process of "valuation" which Frederick was forced to undergo following the death of Captain Anthony? Why do you think that Frederick says of that process: "At this moment, I saw more clearly than ever the brutalizing effects of slavery upon both slave and slaveholder?"
The slaves were divided with cattle based on their solution. He really got to the see the dehumanization of slavery.
2. By what name does Frederick refer to the underground railroad at this point in his narrative?
The upperground railroad.
30. Indicate at least three specific obstacles or dangers that Frederick and his companions imagine that they will face if they attempt to flee to freedom.
They could get caught, they could die from the dangers out there, and they could get lost.
37. After the end of the Easter holiday, what happens to Charles, Henry, and the two Johns? Why does Frederick suspect that he has been treated differently?
They got home but Fredrick does not because he was the leader.
8. What was the relationship between Frederick's grandmother and his original master? What happened to her following the death of Master Andrew? In addition to a general answer, indicate at least two sentences where Frederick uses figurative language (language that appeals to one of the five senses) to create a powerful impression of her suffering.
They locked her up in a tent to die. "The grave is at the door". "She groped her way in the darkness of age for a drive of water".
6. the Great House Farm - find two CDs that describe why it was so "esteemed" to go there
They wanted to go there because they did not have to work in the fields and this meant their overseers had faith in them.
2. Who were old Barney and young Barney? What work did they do for Col. Lloyd and how did he treat them? Look up the word "arbitrary" in the dictionary and then describe how that word might apply to how the colonel treated old and young Barney.
They were father and son who worked in the horse stables. The overseer was very strict and would beat them for the smallest mistake. He would also base these punishments on his mood.
Chapters 5 & 6 1. In attempting to describe the dehumanizing effects of slavery, F.D. several times uses images taken from the animal world. To what aspect of their lives is he referring when he says that the slave children on Col. Lloyd's plantation are treated just "like so many pigs?"
They were fed and called like pigs and ate out of a feeding trough.
2. During this period of Frederick's life, who were his teachers? And how did he "pay" them for their lessons?
They were poor white children and he payed them by giving him bread.
36. As they are led off to jail in Easton, what is the "expectation" that Frederick and his companions have as to their eventual fate?
They will be seperated.
31. What is their final plan? And how does it relate to Frederick's earlier admiration for "freedom's swift winged angels?"
They would get a canoe and on Saturday before Easter paddle up the Chesapeake Bay. When there they would turn the canoe and follow the north star till they got beyond the limits of Maryland. They will use a boat.
3. describe the provisions given to slaves (p. 6)
They would only get very little food and clothes all year and if they ran away they would be caught and beaten.
4. Near the end of chapter 3, Frederick Douglass says that Col. Lloyd's slaves had a clever saying: "a still tongue makes a wise head." Explain what you think this saying means using an incident about a meeting between an unfortunate slave and Col. Lloyd that FD also relates in this chapter.
This means witholding the truth saves you from the consequences of it, so the slaves didn't tell the truth because if they did it would be in the master's favor.
4. When Frederick's master in Baltimore discovers that Frederick is being taught to read and write, he claims that such learning will produce a child "of no value to his master," because he will be . (Fill in the specific adjective that belongs in this blank.) REVIEW: What other slave was described using this word earlier in the book? And what happened to him?
Unmanagable. Demby, he was killed.
9. With what rhetorical question does Frederick end his discussion of his grandmother's fate?
Will not a rightous god visit to these things?
43. Fill in the blanks: In order "to make a _____ slave, it is necessary to make a ________ one."
contented, thoughtless
3. Fill in the blanks in this quote: "I would at times feel that learning to read had been a ____rather than a _______."
curse, blessing
