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WorksheetsLetter to Thomas Auld by Frederick Douglass
Total questions: 13
Worksheet time: 43mins
In the opening sentence of his letter to his former master, Douglass does which of the following?
Apologizes for his audacity in contacting him
Flaunts his recently attained liberty
Understates the nature and condition of their previous relation
acknowledges his master's understandable bewilderment at this disappearance
addresses his master in a confrontational and disrespectful tone
In describing the potential effects of his correspondence, Douglass does all of the following EXCEPT
readily admits it will further inflame public sentiment about him
humorously envisions his master's shock at seeing their names mentioned together in anything but a "Wanted" poster
metaphorically links his master's public chagrin with his own public humiliation at the slave market
wryly speculates what additional "charges" may be precipitated by his decision to write the letter
confidently anticipates his former master's viewing him in a more sympathetic light
By the phrase "rights that are merely conventional [...]" (lines 21-22), Douglass is referring to the
rights granted him by the Constition
rights protecting his master's property interests
rights protecting his master's privacy
"higher laws" of religion and ethics
arbitrary nature of local statutes
The essential implication about those individuals "who entertain a much higher respect for rights that are merely conventional [...]" (lines 20-22) is that they are
sincere
ignorant
callous
hypocritical
unorthodox
In lines 35-46, "All will agree [....] for investigation," Douglass does all the following EXCEPT
appeals to the reason of all men by presenting what he feels is an undeniable truth
suggests that those who commit a public crime open themselves to public exposure
levies specific charges against his former master
buttresses indirectly the moral grounds for his letter
presages a potential reckoning for the crimes of enslavement committed by his master
Douglass' argument for exposing his master's reprehensible conduct (lines 29-50) is founded upon
causal reasoning
generalization
contrast
analogy
inductive reasoning
In the second paragraph Douglass suggests that the imminent nature of his escape triggered antithetical feelings of
anticipation and apprehension
satisfaction and regret
elation and depression
tranquility and anger
clarity and confusion
Douglass' "lamenting that [he] was a man, and wishing [him]self a brute" (lines 59-60) was likely motivated by a(n)
inordinate amount of self-pity
acute consciousness of the degradation of his enslavement
paralyzing depression that impeded his taking action
misguided belief that a beast could better endure such harsh labor
embarrassing lack of fortitude
Douglass uses the phrase "treasured up" (line 61) to convey which of the following?
I. The rarity of a successful escape from bondage.
II. The extent to which the dream of escape sustained him.
III. The duration of his clandestine planning.
I only
II only
I and II
II and III
I, II and III
The "one" mentioned in lines 77 and 78 is most likely
Douglass' master
Douglass' conscience
a fellow slave
an abolitionist
God
Which of the following is NOT characteristic of the author's style?
an analogy that subtly shifts culpability from slave to master
a forceful tone that is tempered by restraint and civility
a simile that highlights the seeming futility of an escape endeavor
a highly imagistic depiction of the sufferings of enslavement
an ironic juxtaposition of the exhilaration of his escape and the uncertainty of his future
The author juxtaposes his bold daytime escape with which of the following figurative expressions?
I. The "dark clouds of doubt and fear" (line 64) that shook his resolve.
II. The "leap in the dark" (line 70-71) that he made in striking out for the North.
III. The vulnerable feeling his experienced of "going to war without weapons" (lines 75-76).
I only
III only
I and II
II and III
I, II, and III
Overall, Douglass' letter is BEST classified as a(n)
ad hominem attack upon his former owner's character
defiant celebration of the anniversary of his emancipation
retrospective reflection on the nature and motivation of Southern slave-holders
ironic apology for his inconsiderate and illicit escape
measured verbalization of his master's culpability for his physical and psychological suffering
