When men maligned him, and their torrent wrath
In furious imprecations o’er him broke,
He kept his counsel as he kept his path;
’Twas for his race, not for himself he spoke.
He knew the import of his Master’s call,
And felt himself too mighty to be small.
Which statement best paraphrases the meaning of this stanza?
A. When people tormented him, Douglass kept calm for the sake of his race and remembered his divine calling.
B. When people slandered and cursed him, Douglass remained calm and in control to obey the Master’s rules.
C. When people ridiculed his goals, Douglass sought the counsel of another African American leader.
D. When people shouted at him, Douglass knew that God would be angry if he yelled back.
1 answer
The statement that best paraphrases the meaning of the stanza is:
A. When people tormented him, Douglass kept calm for the sake of his race and remembered his divine calling.
This option captures the essence of Douglass's strength and composure in the face of adversity, emphasizing his commitment to his race and his understanding of his higher purpose.
