This article will help you answer the following questions.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
by Frederick Douglass
As to my own treatment while I lived on Colonel Lloyd's plantation, it was very similar to that of the other slave children. I was not old enough to work in the field, and there being little else than field work to do, I had a great deal of leisure time. The most I had to do was to drive up the cows at evening, keep the fowls out of the garden, keep the front yard clean, and run of errands for my old master's daughter, Mrs. Lucretia Auld. The most of my leisure time I spent in helping Master Daniel Lloyd in finding his birds, after he had shot them. My connection with Master Daniel was of some advantage to me. He became quite attached to me, and was a sort of protector of me. He would not allow the older boys to impose upon me, and would divide his cakes with me.
I was seldom whipped by my old master, and suffered little from any thing else than hunger and cold. I suffered much from hunger, but much more from cold. In hottest summer and coldest winter, I was kept almost naked--no shoes, no stockings, no jacket, no trousers, nothing on but a coarse tow linen shirt, reaching only to my knees. I had no bed. I must have perished with cold, but that, the coldest nights, I used to steal a bag which was used for carrying corn to the mill. I would crawl into this bag, and there sleep on the cold, damp, clay floor, with my head in and feet out. My feet have been so cracked with the frost, that the pen with which I am writing might be laid in the gashes. We were not regularly allowanced. Our food was coarse corn meal boiled. This was called mush. It was put into a large wooden tray or trough, and set down upon the ground. The children were then called, like so many pigs, and like so many pigs they would come and devour the mush; some with oyster-shells, others with pieces of shingle, some with naked hands, and none with spoons. He that ate fastest got most; he that was strongest secured the best place; and few left the trough satisfied.
I was probably between seven and eight years old when I left Colonel Lloyd's plantation. I left it with joy. I shall never forget the ecstasy with which I received the intelligence that my old master (Anthony) had determined to let me go to Baltimore, to live with Mr. Hugh Auld, brother to my old master's son- in-law, Captain Thomas Auld. I received this information about three days before my departure. They were three of the happiest days I ever enjoyed. I spent the most part of all these three days in the creek, washing off the plantation scurf, and preparing myself for my departure.
The pride of appearance which this would indicate was not my own. I spent the time in washing, not so much because I wished to, but because Mrs. Lucretia had told me I must get all the dead skin off my feet and knees before I could go to Baltimore; for the people in Baltimore were very cleanly, and would laugh at me if I looked dirty. Besides, she was going to give me a pair or trousers, which I should not put on unless I got all the dirt off me. The thought of owning a pair of trousers was great indeed! It was almost a sufficient motive, not only to make me take off what would be called by pig- drovers the mange, but the skin itself. I went at it in good earnest, working for the first time with the hope of reward. The ties that ordinarily bind children to their homes were all suspended in my case. I found no severe trial in my departure. My home was charmless; it was not home to me; on parting from it, I could not feel that I was leaving any thing which I could have enjoyed by staying. My mother was dead, my grandmother lived far off, so that I seldom saw her. I had two sisters and one brother, that lived in the same house with me; but the early separation of us from our mother had well nigh blotted the fact of our relationship from our memories. I looked for home elsewhere, and was confident of finding none which I should relish less than the one which I was leaving. If, however, I found in my new home hardship, hunger, whipping, and nakedness, I had the consolation that I should not have escaped any one of them by staying. Having already had more than a taste of them in the house of my old master, and having endured them there, I very naturally inferred my ability to endure them elsewhere, and especially at Baltimore; for I had something of the feeling about Baltimore that is expressed in the proverb, that "being hanged in England is preferable to dying a natural death in Ireland." I had the strongest desire to see Baltimore. Cousin Tom, though not fluent in speech, had inspired me with that desire by his eloquent description of the place. I could never point out any thing at the Great House, no matter how beautiful or powerful, but that he had seen something at Baltimore far exceeding, both in beauty and strength, the object which I pointed out to him. Even the Great House itself, with all its pictures, was far inferior to many buildings in Baltimore. So strong was my desire, that I thought a gratification of it would fully compensate for whatever loss of comforts I should sustain by the exchange. I left without a regret, and with the highest hopes of future happiness.
37 answers
Sure! Here are the answers to the questions you might have based on the excerpt from "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass":
What was Douglass’ experience like while living on Colonel Lloyd's plantation?
Douglass describes his experience on Colonel Lloyd's plantation as one of relative leisure compared to the field hands, as he was too young to work in the fields. His chores included driving up cows, keeping fowls out of the garden, and running errands for Mrs. Lucretia Auld. Although he suffered from hunger and cold, he was rarely whipped, and he had a protector in Master Daniel Lloyd, who was kind to him.
What challenges did Douglass face as a child on the plantation?
Douglass faced significant challenges, primarily due to extreme hunger and cold. He lived in harsh conditions with inadequate clothing—just a coarse linen shirt—and had no bed. He often resorted to stealing a bag to sleep in to keep warm on cold nights, and his feet were severely cracked from exposure to the cold.
How did Douglass feel about his departure from Colonel Lloyd’s plantation?
Douglass felt joyful and ecstatic about leaving Colonel Lloyd's plantation for Baltimore to live with Mr. Hugh Auld. The three days leading up to his departure were some of the happiest days of his life, marked by anticipation and the desire to present himself well in his new home.
What was Douglass’ motivation for wanting to clean himself before going to Baltimore?
Douglass was motivated to clean himself because Mrs. Lucretia Auld told him that people in Baltimore were very cleanly and would laugh at him if he appeared dirty. He was also excited about the possibility of receiving a pair of trousers, which represented a significant change in his status and personal appearance.
How did Douglass view his new home compared to his previous one?
Douglass viewed his new home in Baltimore with hope and anticipation, feeling that it could not be worse than his previous home on the plantation, which he found charmless and devoid of familial connections. He felt no sense of loss leaving behind the plantation since he had little attachment to it and sought a better life elsewhere.
What longing or desire was sparked in Douglass regarding Baltimore?
The longing for Baltimore was sparked by his cousin Tom's descriptions of the place, which painted it as a land of greater beauty and strength than anything Douglass had experienced on the plantation. This created a strong desire in Douglass to see Baltimore and a belief that it would offer better opportunities, regardless of any hardships he might face there.
If you have any more specific questions or need further details, feel free to ask!
1. What is the primary purpose of the preface in Douglass's narrative?
To introduce the main themes of the narrative
To provide a summary of Douglass's life
To authenticate Douglass's experiences as a former slave
To criticize the institution of slavery
The primary purpose of the preface in Douglass's narrative is to authenticate Douglass's experiences as a former slave. The preface, often written by an ally or abolitionist, typically serves to establish credibility and provide context for Douglass's story, reinforcing his status as a credible witness to the atrocities of slavery. While it may touch on themes and critique slavery, its main role is to affirm the authenticity of Douglass's experiences and perspective.
1. What is the primary purpose of the preface in Douglass's narrative?
To introduce the main themes of the narrative
To provide a summary of Douglass's life
To authenticate Douglass's experiences as a former slave
To criticize the institution of slavery
The primary purpose of the preface in Douglass's narrative is to authenticate Douglass's experiences as a former slave. The preface typically serves to establish credibility and validate Douglass's account, emphasizing the importance of his firsthand testimony regarding the realities and atrocities of slavery. While it may also touch on themes and critique the institution of slavery, its main focus is on affirming the authenticity and significance of Douglass's experiences.
2. In the preface, how does the author describe Frederick Douglass's character?
As timid and reserved
As intelligent and articulate
As aggressive and confrontational
As indifferent and detached
In the preface, the author describes Frederick Douglass's character as intelligent and articulate. The preface typically highlights Douglass's exceptional intellect, his eloquence in expressing the inner workings of his experiences as a slave, and his ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. This emphasis on his intelligence and articulate nature serves to reinforce his credibility and the importance of his narrative in the abolitionist movement.
2. In the preface, how does the author describe Frederick Douglass's character?
As timid and reserved
As intelligent and articulate
As aggressive and confrontational
As indifferent and detached
In the preface, the author describes Frederick Douglass's character as intelligent and articulate. The emphasis is placed on Douglass's ability to express himself eloquently and thoughtfully, highlighting his remarkable intellect and communication skills, which were significant for someone who had escaped from slavery. This characterization serves to enhance his credibility and the impact of his narrative.
4. What does the author of the preface hope to achieve by endorsing Douglass's narrative?
To promote his own political career
To entertain readers
To gain financial profit
To support the abolitionist movement
The author of the preface hopes to achieve to support the abolitionist movement by endorsing Douglass's narrative. By vouching for Douglass's credibility and highlighting the importance of his experiences as a former slave, the preface aims to raise awareness about the horrors of slavery and encourage action against it. This endorsement was intended to foster empathy and support for the abolitionist cause among readers.
4. What does the author of the preface hope to achieve by endorsing Douglass's narrative?
To promote his own political career
To entertain readers
To gain financial profit
To support the abolitionist movement
The correct answer is to support the abolitionist movement. The author of the preface seeks to lend credibility to Frederick Douglass's narrative and highlight its significance in raising awareness about the realities of slavery. By endorsing Douglass, the author aims to encourage readers to confront the moral and social issues surrounding slavery, thereby contributing to the abolitionist cause.
5. How does the preface address the authenticity of Douglass's account?
By emphasizing Douglass's credibility and firsthand experience
By comparing it to other slave narratives
By providing detailed historical records
By including testimonials from other former slaves
The preface addresses the authenticity of Douglass's account by emphasizing Douglass's credibility and firsthand experience. The author typically highlights Douglass's remarkable journey, his intelligence, and his eloquence, which serve to validate his narrative as a truthful and significant account of the experiences of a former slave. This focus on Douglass's personal testimony underscores the importance of his perspective in the broader discourse on slavery and abolition.
5. How does the preface address the authenticity of Douglass's account?
By emphasizing Douglass's credibility and firsthand experience
By comparing it to other slave narratives
By providing detailed historical records
By including testimonials from other former slaves
The preface addresses the authenticity of Douglass's account by emphasizing Douglass's credibility and firsthand experience. The author highlights Douglass's background as a former slave and his ability to articulate his experiences effectively, reinforcing the legitimacy of his narrative and its significance in shedding light on the realities of slavery. This emphasis helps to ensure readers regard Douglass's story as a genuine and valuable account.
6. What tone does the author of the preface use when discussing the institution of slavery?
Neutral and unbiased
Detached and analytical
Passionate and condemning
Sarcastic and mocking
The author of the preface uses a passionate and condemning tone when discussing the institution of slavery. This tone reflects a strong moral stance against slavery, emphasizing the injustices and inhumanity associated with it. The preface typically aims to evoke an emotional response from readers, urging them to recognize the urgency of the abolitionist cause and the need for social change.
6. What tone does the author of the preface use when discussing the institution of slavery?
Neutral and unbiased
Detached and analytical
Passionate and condemning
Sarcastic and mocking
The author of the preface uses a passionate and condemning tone when discussing the institution of slavery. This tone reflects strong moral outrage and a clear denunciation of slavery, aiming to evoke a response from readers and to galvanize support for the abolitionist movement. The intent is to highlight the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery rather than maintain a neutral or detached perspective.
7. According to the preface, what impact does the author believe Douglass's narrative will have on readers? (1 point)
It will bore and disinterest them.
It will entertain and amuse them.
It will confuse and mislead them.
It will enlighten and inspire them.
According to the preface, the author believes Douglass's narrative will enlighten and inspire readers. The intent is to provide a powerful and personal account of the realities of slavery that raises awareness and motivates action against the institution, ultimately fostering empathy and support for the abolitionist cause.
7. According to the preface, what impact does the author believe Douglass's narrative will have on readers? (1 point)
It will bore and disinterest them.
It will entertain and amuse them.
It will confuse and mislead them.
It will enlighten and inspire them.
According to the preface, the author believes Douglass's narrative will enlighten and inspire readers. The narrative is intended to shed light on the realities of slavery, evoke empathy, and motivate readers to take action against the institution of slavery, thereby supporting the abolitionist movement.
8. How does the author of the preface view Douglass's ability to write his own narrative?
With criticism and disapproval
With indifference and apathy
With admiration and respect
With skepticism and doubt
The author of the preface views Douglass's ability to write his own narrative with admiration and respect. The preface highlights Douglass's exceptional intelligence and eloquence, acknowledging his remarkable achievement in articulating his experiences and perspectives as a former slave. This admiration serves to reinforce the significance of Douglass's narrative in the context of the abolitionist movement.
8. How does the author of the preface view Douglass's ability to write his own narrative?
With criticism and disapproval
With indifference and apathy
With admiration and respect
With skepticism and doub
The author of the preface views Douglass's ability to write his own narrative with admiration and respect. The preface often emphasizes Douglass's intelligence, eloquence, and the significance of his journey from slavery to becoming a skilled writer, highlighting the importance of his voice in the abolitionist movement.
9. What does the preface suggest about the broader significance of Douglass's narrative?
It is primarily a work of fiction.
It is a minor contribution to literature.
It is an important document for understanding American history.
It is irrelevant to contemporary issues.
The preface suggests that Douglass's narrative is an important document for understanding American history. It positions his account as crucial for recognizing the realities of slavery and its impacts, thereby serving as a significant contribution to the discourse on human rights and social justice in America. The narrative is intended to inform and enlighten readers about the injustices of slavery and its implications for society as a whole.
9. What does the preface suggest about the broader significance of Douglass's narrative?
It is primarily a work of fiction.
It is a minor contribution to literature.
It is an important document for understanding American history.
It is irrelevant to contemporary issues.
The preface suggests that Douglass's narrative is an important document for understanding American history. It emphasizes the significance of his firsthand account in shedding light on the institution of slavery, its brutal realities, and its implications for American society. The narrative serves as a vital historical document that contributes to the broader discourse on freedom and human rights.
10. In the preface, what does the author imply about the potential for change in society?
Change is slow and unlikely
Change is undesirable and harmful
Change is inevitable and necessary
Change is impossible and futile
In the preface, the author implies that change is inevitable and necessary. The emphasis on Douglass's narrative as a means to raise awareness about the injustices of slavery suggests a belief in the possibility and necessity of social change. The author likely conveys hope that exposing the realities of slavery will inspire action and lead to progress toward abolition and greater human rights.
10. In the preface, what does the author imply about the potential for change in society?
Change is slow and unlikely
Change is undesirable and harmful
Change is inevitable and necessary
Change is impossible and futile
In the preface, the author implies that change is inevitable and necessary. The endorsement of Douglass’s narrative as a powerful tool for exposing the injustices of slavery suggests a belief in the potential for societal transformation through increased awareness and action against oppression. This reflects a hopeful view of the future and the belief that progress can be achieved through efforts like Douglass’s writings.
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