Frederick Douglass, ch. 1-6

Ch. 1 - Why would Frederick Douglass begin his life story by admitting what he doesn't know?

• To show how the enslaved were purposefully kept ignorant by their enslavers

• To be more relatable to his readers, many of whom were ignorant themselves

• To later surprise his readers by demonstrating his supreme intelligence

• To encourage his readers to be sympathetic and forgiving of any mistakes he may make

Ch. 1 - What is known about Douglass's family? Check all that apply.

• His mother, Hattie Bailey, was an enslaved woman.

• His father is unkown, but rumored to be a white man.

• He is separated from his mother soon after being born.

• His mother worked for Mr. Lloyd's daughter.

Ch. 1 - What is the argument concerning Noah's curse to Ham to which Douglass refers? Check all that apply.

• Biblical allusion

• Ham sees his father's nakedness and tells his brothers; he is then cursed to serve his brothers.

• Religious justification for slavery

• Douglass refutes this argument by pointing out that he, and others, have white fathers.

Ch. 2 - How did the Lloyd plantation operate? Check all that apply.

• Hundreds of slaves worked raising and harvesting crops.

• A few slaves worked on ships that took products to Baltimore.

• While the Lloyds enjoyed wealth and leisure, the enslaved were poorly, fed, ill-clothed, and brutalized.

• Lloyd appointed the best men from those he enslaved in order to work as overseers.

Ch. 2 - Describe the role and character of an overseer. Check all that apply.

• Overseers are the antagonists of this narrative.

• Usually, they are cruel, profane, and unjust.

• They enforce the slave system by commanding labor and preventing rebellion.

• They ensure the productivity and the safety of the enslaved.

Ch. 2 - What is the author's tone as he describes these conditions?

• simple and direct

• grandiose and detailed

• nostalgic and sympathetic

• flippant and uncaring

Ch. 2 - Why does Douglass compare a slave running errands at the Great House Farm to a representative in Congress?

• This is a sarcastic analogy that mocks the American ideals of democracy, personal freedom, and responsibility.

• Douglass believes that slaves running errands are genuinely comparable to representatives in Congress, highlighting the efficiency and order within the institution of slavery.

• The analogy suggests that slaves, like representatives in Congress, have a significant role in shaping policies and making decisions for the benefit of their community.

• Douglass uses the comparison to emphasize the equality and fairness present in both the lives of slaves running errands and representatives in Congress, showcasing a positive aspect of the American democratic system.

Ch. 2 - What impression do we have of the slaves' songs?

• Singing was an emotional expression of hope and sorrow that went beyond words, demonstrating that those enslaved were not ignorant of their oppression.

• The songs were merely a form of mindless entertainment, providing a distraction for the slaves from the harsh realities of their lives.

• The songs were a demonstration of the slaves' contentment with their conditions, suggesting a lack of awareness regarding the severity of their oppression.

• The songs were a coded language used by the slaves to communicate secret messages and plans, allowing Douglass and his family to escape.

Ch. 3 - What is the significance of the garden?

• The garden symbolizes the biblical temptation of Adam and Eve in Eden and being cast out into sin; however, the inference is that the hungry slaves are innocent while the enslavers are the sinners.

• The garden represents a place of solace and joy for the slaves, highlighting the positive aspects of their lives on the plantation.

• The garden symbolizes the prosperity and wealth of the enslavers, showcasing their benevolence and generosity toward the enslaved individuals.

• The garden is a metaphor for the slaves' lack of ambition and desire for a better life, suggesting that they are content with their current circumstances.

Ch. 3 - What was Douglass's opinion of Colonel Lloyd? Check all that apply.

• He is described as conspicuously wealthy, scheming, capricious, and unjust.

• He prizes his horses above a thousand enslaved humans.

• He is admired for his generosity and fairness, noting that he treated both his horses and enslaved individuals with equal care and respect.

• Douglass has a neutral opinion of Colonel Lloyd, viewing him as a practical and shrewd businessman who maintained a balanced and just approach to managing his estate.