University:
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Course:
ENGL 300 | English Language Literature
Academic year:

2024
Views:

306

Pages:

2
Author:

April Ortiz

Study questions for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Chapter 1 1. Why is Douglass not sure when he was born? Douglass is not sure when he was born because slaves were often deprived of knowing their exact birth date. It was a common practice among slaveholders to keep such information from them 2. Why would slaveholders want to keep a slave from knowing his/her birth date? Slaveholders would want to keep slaves from knowing their birth date to maintain control and perpetuate a sense of inferiority and dependency. By depriving slaves of this basic knowledge, slaveholders could further dehumanize them and reinforce their status as property rather than individuals 3. Who were Frederick’s mother and father? Frederick's mother was Harriet Bailey, and his father was rumored to be a white man, possibly his master, Captain Anthony 4. Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother? Is typical of other slave children? Frederick only rarely sees his mother because she works on a distant plantation, and their visits are infrequent due to the distance and her demanding work schedule. This situation was typical for many slave children whose families were separated by the slave trade and the demands of forced labor 5. Along with being the master, a slaveholder is also often what to the slaves? Along with being the master, a slaveholder is also often the overseer to the slaves. In many cases, the slaveholder would personally oversee the work and discipline of the enslaved individuals 6. Who does Douglass allude to on page 6? What does this have to do with slavery? Douglass alludes to the biblical story of Job on page 6. This allusion highlights the suffering and endurance of slaves, drawing parallels between Job's trials and the hardships endured by enslaved individuals. It underscores the dehumanizing effects of slavery and the strength required to endure such oppression 7. What metaphor is used on page 7 to describe Captain Anthony? On page 7, Captain Anthony is metaphorically described as a "snake." This metaphor suggests that Captain Anthony is deceitful and cunning, reinforcing the negative portrayal of slaveholders as oppressive and untrustworthy. It reflects Douglass's perspective on the character of his master and the power dynamics within the institution of slavery