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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

by Frederick Douglass

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass learned to read through the initial kindness of Mrs. Auld, who taught him the alphabet and how to form short words. Using bread as payment, Douglass employed little white boys in...

3 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass faced numerous conflicts, including the deprivation of not knowing his family, enduring physical violence, and being kept illiterate. He was separated from his mother early on,...

3 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass's character in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of resilience, intelligence, and determination. His overall claim is a powerful condemnation of slavery,...

3 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass did not know his birthday because he was born into slavery, where it was common for slaves to be kept ignorant of their birthdates. Slave masters deliberately withheld this...

1 educator answer

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

In Chapter 9 of Frederick Douglass's narrative, he states, "I have now reached a period of my life when I can give dates," indicating he feels free to disclose dates. This freedom comes after leaving...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass leaves Baltimore for the second time in Chapter VIII after Lucretia, his new owner and the daughter of his deceased former owner, dies. He is sent to live with Lucretia's widower,...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass describes his mother as a black slave named Harriet Bailey who was separated from him in infancy, and his father as an unknown white man,...

2 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass missed the "little Baltimore boys" the most after leaving Baltimore. These boys had helped him learn to read, a skill initially introduced by his mistress, Sophia Auld, before she...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

On the plantation in Maryland, the boy slave Frederick found life unhappy and frightening because of the abuse the slaves suffered. In Baltimore, his life as a slave was easier, but the knowledge...

4 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Sources Douglass relies on to learn how to read and write in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave include Mrs. Auld, before she refuses to continue teaching him, hungry...

3 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

As a child, Frederick Douglass suffered most from the cold due to inadequate clothing and shelter. In his narrative, he describes enduring harsh winters with only a coarse linen shirt, leaving him...

2 educator answers

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass's second master was Hugh Auld, the brother of Captain Thomas Auld, son-in-law of Douglass's first master, Captain Anthony. Douglass moved to Baltimore to live with Hugh Auld and...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

As a young man who had known all his life that he was destined for slavery, it was profoundly upsetting for Douglass to witness the way that slaves—particularly his Aunt Hester—were treated. As the...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass destroyed his self-written note of protection to avoid severe consequences after an escape plan was betrayed. The passes, meant to show slaves had their master's permission to be...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

The three main characters in Frederick Douglass's narrative are Douglass himself, Sophia Auld, and Edward Covey. Douglass is the central figure, narrating his life and escape from slavery while...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass' journey to Baltimore marked a significant turning point in his life. In Baltimore, he was exposed to greater educational opportunities and a more diverse society, which broadened...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Frederick Douglass is eager to go to Baltimore because he dislikes life on Colonel Lloyd's plantation, where he suffers from poor treatment, cold, and hunger, and has no family ties. He remembers...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

In Frederick Douglass's narrative, a slave child born to a slave woman and a white man was considered a slave for life, regardless of the father's identity. This status was typical in the South...

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

In both The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and Franklin's autobiography, the authors are presented as self-made men from unlikely low origins who rose to prominence due to certain...

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