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Questions and Answers
What happens to Master Thomas Auld after his conversion to Christianity?
What happens to Master Thomas Auld after his conversion to Christianity?
He gets crueler, because now he found religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty.
Why does Frederick find irony in the fact that the slaves' Sabbath school is discontinued?
Why does Frederick find irony in the fact that the slaves' Sabbath school is discontinued?
The town was supposed to be religious and supportive of religion, yet they don't want the slaves to have any knowledge.
Why does Frederick let Master Thomas's horse run away?
Why does Frederick let Master Thomas's horse run away?
So he can chase the horse to his master's father-in-law's place, where he can get food.
How does Frederick compare the treatment of slaves to the treatment of horses?
How does Frederick compare the treatment of slaves to the treatment of horses?
How does Master Thomas propose to 'break' Frederick?
How does Master Thomas propose to 'break' Frederick?
Why is the use of the verb 'to break' ironic?
Why is the use of the verb 'to break' ironic?
Why was Mr. Covey's reputation for breaking slaves of great value?
Why was Mr. Covey's reputation for breaking slaves of great value?
Why does Frederick suggest that Mr. Covey's 'pious soul' adds to his reputation as a 'niger-breaker'?
Why does Frederick suggest that Mr. Covey's 'pious soul' adds to his reputation as a 'niger-breaker'?
What does Frederick mean when he says 'After his conversion, he found religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty'?
What does Frederick mean when he says 'After his conversion, he found religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty'?
What does Frederick imply by saying 'He resolved to put me out, as he said, to be broken'?
What does Frederick imply by saying 'He resolved to put me out, as he said, to be broken'?
Why is Frederick not sure when he was born?
Why is Frederick not sure when he was born?
What is Frederick's last name at birth?
What is Frederick's last name at birth?
Why would slaveholders want to keep a slave ignorant of such a simple thing as the date of his birth?
Why would slaveholders want to keep a slave ignorant of such a simple thing as the date of his birth?
Who were Frederick's mother and father?
Who were Frederick's mother and father?
Why does Frederick make the point that a slaveholder who has fathered a child is likely to be tougher on that child?
Why does Frederick make the point that a slaveholder who has fathered a child is likely to be tougher on that child?
Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother?
Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother?
Is Frederick's relationship with his mother typical of other slave children?
Is Frederick's relationship with his mother typical of other slave children?
What is the role of the overseer on the plantation?
What is the role of the overseer on the plantation?
What is the relationship of the slaveholder to the overseer to the slave on the plantation?
What is the relationship of the slaveholder to the overseer to the slave on the plantation?
What do we learn about Plummer, the overseer?
What do we learn about Plummer, the overseer?
Who is Frederick's first master?
Who is Frederick's first master?
Why does Frederick tell the story of Lloyd's Ned?
Why does Frederick tell the story of Lloyd's Ned?
What does Frederick mean by 'the blood-stained gate, the entrance to hell of slavery'?
What does Frederick mean by 'the blood-stained gate, the entrance to hell of slavery'?
Who were the family members of Frederick's master Colonel Edward Lloyd?
Who were the family members of Frederick's master Colonel Edward Lloyd?
What is the relationship of Colonel Lloyd to Frederick's master?
What is the relationship of Colonel Lloyd to Frederick's master?
Was there a pecking order among slaves? Explain.
Was there a pecking order among slaves? Explain.
Why would a slave whose life on a plantation was very bad fear being sold to a slave-trader?
Why would a slave whose life on a plantation was very bad fear being sold to a slave-trader?
Why was Severe an appropriate name for the overseer?
Why was Severe an appropriate name for the overseer?
Why is it difficult to find copies of slave songs?
Why is it difficult to find copies of slave songs?
Why does Frederick suggest that slaves sing out of sorrow rather than out of joy?
Why does Frederick suggest that slaves sing out of sorrow rather than out of joy?
What does Frederick mean by 'crying for joy and singing for joy were alike uncommon to me while in the jaws of slavery'?
What does Frederick mean by 'crying for joy and singing for joy were alike uncommon to me while in the jaws of slavery'?
How did Colonel Lloyd keep the slave boys from taking his fruit?
How did Colonel Lloyd keep the slave boys from taking his fruit?
Why was it particularly difficult to be the slaves in charge of Colonel Lloyd's horses?
Why was it particularly difficult to be the slaves in charge of Colonel Lloyd's horses?
What is ironic about Colonel Lloyd's treatment of his horses compared to the treatment of his slaves?
What is ironic about Colonel Lloyd's treatment of his horses compared to the treatment of his slaves?
What happened to the slave who told Colonel Lloyd the truth about his master?
What happened to the slave who told Colonel Lloyd the truth about his master?
What is a maxim?
What is a maxim?
Explain the slave maxim: 'a still tongue makes a wise head'.
Explain the slave maxim: 'a still tongue makes a wise head'.
Why is Mr. Austin Gore a 'first-rate overseer'?
Why is Mr. Austin Gore a 'first-rate overseer'?
What is the irony of Mr. Gore's description?
What is the irony of Mr. Gore's description?
What is ironic about Mr. Gore's name?
What is ironic about Mr. Gore's name?
What reason does Mr. Gore give for killing Demby the slave?
What reason does Mr. Gore give for killing Demby the slave?
What other examples does Frederick give of his statement 'that killing a slave, or any colored person,...is not treated as a crime, either by the courts or the community'?
What other examples does Frederick give of his statement 'that killing a slave, or any colored person,...is not treated as a crime, either by the courts or the community'?
What does the maxim laid down by slaveholders: 'It is better that a dozen slaves suffer under the lash than the overseer should be convicted, in the presence of the slaves, of having been at fault' mean?
What does the maxim laid down by slaveholders: 'It is better that a dozen slaves suffer under the lash than the overseer should be convicted, in the presence of the slaves, of having been at fault' mean?
What does Douglass mean when he says, 'to be accused was to be convicted, and to be convicted was to be punished'?
What does Douglass mean when he says, 'to be accused was to be convicted, and to be convicted was to be punished'?
What does Douglass mean by 'he dealt sparingly with his words, and bountifully with his whip, never using the former where the latter would answer as well' about Mr. Gore?
What does Douglass mean by 'he dealt sparingly with his words, and bountifully with his whip, never using the former where the latter would answer as well' about Mr. Gore?
What was life like for Frederick on the plantation?
What was life like for Frederick on the plantation?
Why was Frederick so happy to be leaving the plantation?
Why was Frederick so happy to be leaving the plantation?
Why did he particularly want to go to Baltimore?
Why did he particularly want to go to Baltimore?
What relationship did his new master have to his old master?
What relationship did his new master have to his old master?
Why did Frederick not know the month or year of his sailing?
Why did Frederick not know the month or year of his sailing?
What were Frederick's initial impressions of his new mistress, Mrs. Sophia Auld?
What were Frederick's initial impressions of his new mistress, Mrs. Sophia Auld?
What does Douglass mean by 'divine Providence' in regards to his move to Baltimore?
What does Douglass mean by 'divine Providence' in regards to his move to Baltimore?
To what does Frederick attribute the kindness of Mrs. Auld?
To what does Frederick attribute the kindness of Mrs. Auld?
What, according to Frederick, changes Mrs. Auld?
What, according to Frederick, changes Mrs. Auld?
Why is Mr. Auld angry when he finds that Mrs. Auld is teaching Frederick his letters?
Why is Mr. Auld angry when he finds that Mrs. Auld is teaching Frederick his letters?
Why does Frederick call Mr. Auld's forbidding his learning how to read 'invaluable instruction'?
Why does Frederick call Mr. Auld's forbidding his learning how to read 'invaluable instruction'?
Why does the inability to read keep men enslaved according to Frederick and Mr. Auld?
Why does the inability to read keep men enslaved according to Frederick and Mr. Auld?
What does Frederick hope to gain by learning how to read?
What does Frederick hope to gain by learning how to read?
Who teaches Frederick why black men are not taught to read?
Who teaches Frederick why black men are not taught to read?
Why is this lesson so important to him?
Why is this lesson so important to him?
Why is the life of a city slave so much better than the life of a plantation slave?
Why is the life of a city slave so much better than the life of a plantation slave?
Why does Frederick relate the story of the slaves Henrietta and Mary?
Why does Frederick relate the story of the slaves Henrietta and Mary?
What does Hugh Auld mean when he says, 'if you teach that slave how to read, there would be no keeping him'?
What does Hugh Auld mean when he says, 'if you teach that slave how to read, there would be no keeping him'?
What does Douglass mean when he says, 'in learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master as to the kindly aid of my mistress'?
What does Douglass mean when he says, 'in learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master as to the kindly aid of my mistress'?
What does Douglass mean by 'a city slave is almost a free man, compared with a slave on the plantation'?
What does Douglass mean by 'a city slave is almost a free man, compared with a slave on the plantation'?
How did Mrs. Auld change and why did she change?
How did Mrs. Auld change and why did she change?
What plan did Frederick adopt to learn how to read now that Mrs. Auld was no longer teaching him?
What plan did Frederick adopt to learn how to read now that Mrs. Auld was no longer teaching him?
Why is it ironic that he bribed the little white boys to teach him to read?
Why is it ironic that he bribed the little white boys to teach him to read?
What irony does Frederick find in the statement: 'It is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country.'?
What irony does Frederick find in the statement: 'It is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country.'?
What did Frederick learn from the book 'The Colombian Orator'?
What did Frederick learn from the book 'The Colombian Orator'?
How does Master Auld's prediction about Frederick and learning come true?
How does Master Auld's prediction about Frederick and learning come true?
How does Frederick learn the meanings of the words abolition and abolitionist?
How does Frederick learn the meanings of the words abolition and abolitionist?
What do the two Irishmen encourage him to do? Why does he not trust them?
What do the two Irishmen encourage him to do? Why does he not trust them?
How does Frederick learn to write?
How does Frederick learn to write?
How does he trick the white boys into teaching him new letters?
How does he trick the white boys into teaching him new letters?
What does Douglass mean by 'the first step had been taken...mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell'?
What does Douglass mean by 'the first step had been taken...mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell'?
What does Douglass mean when he says, 'I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing'?
What does Douglass mean when he says, 'I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing'?
Why was Frederick forced to return to the plantation after the death of his master?
Why was Frederick forced to return to the plantation after the death of his master?
How was the value of the master's property determined? How were the slaves valued?
How was the value of the master's property determined? How were the slaves valued?
Why was the division of property between Mistress Lucretia and Master Andrew so horrifying to the slaves?
Why was the division of property between Mistress Lucretia and Master Andrew so horrifying to the slaves?
What happened to Frederick's grandmother after the deaths of Lucretia and Andrew?
What happened to Frederick's grandmother after the deaths of Lucretia and Andrew?
How does this anecdote help explain the value of slaves?
How does this anecdote help explain the value of slaves?
How are slaves valued when compared to livestock?
How are slaves valued when compared to livestock?
Who owns Frederick by the end of chapter eight?
Who owns Frederick by the end of chapter eight?
Why is Frederick forced to leave Baltimore?
Why is Frederick forced to leave Baltimore?
Why does Frederick now know the date?
Why does Frederick now know the date?
Who is Frederick's newest Master?
Who is Frederick's newest Master?
What rule of slaveholding does Master Thomas Auld violate?
What rule of slaveholding does Master Thomas Auld violate?
How did the slaves get food?
How did the slaves get food?
Why does Frederick say that 'adopted slaveholders are the worst'?
Why does Frederick say that 'adopted slaveholders are the worst'?
Study Notes
Frederick Douglass: Chapters 1-9 Key Points
- Frederick Douglass lacks exact knowledge of his birth date due to no birth records maintained for slaves.
- Born as Frederick Bailey to a white slave owner, Captain Anthony, and a slave woman, Harriet Bailey; typical of many slave children.
- Slaveholders intentionally kept slaves ignorant to prevent them from gaining knowledge, self-worth, and power.
- Frederick's mother was often absent; she was sent to a different plantation and died when he was young, reflecting a common experience for enslaved children.
- Overseers on plantations discipline slaves, acting as the enforcers of the slaveholder's authority, often through brutal means.
- Plummer, an overseer, is known for his drunkenness and severity in punishment.
- Slavery featured a social hierarchy, with specific privileges and placements for certain slaves, such as those sent to Baltimore for errands.
- Life on a plantation posed constant fears of being sold further south, where conditions could worsen.
- Slaves' songs often expressed sorrow rather than joy, masking their pain from overseers.
- Colonel Lloyd, a master with a reputation for cruelty, owns Frederick's first master, Captain Anthony.
- Frederick vividly recalls witnessing Aunt Hester's whipping, marking his deep understanding of slavery's horrors.
- The treatment of Colonel Lloyd's horses is notably better than that of his slaves, emphasizing the dehumanization prevalent in slavery.
- Education is depicted as a double-edged sword; while it opens Frederick's eyes to the truth of his enslavement, it also leaves him feeling trapped in despair.
- Frederick's interactions with Mrs. Sophia Auld demonstrate the potential kindness of those who have not been corrupted by slaveholding.
- Mr. Auld forbids Frederick from learning to read, highlighting the powerful link between education and freedom; ignorance is used as a tool of oppression.
- Frederick learns to read and write despite opposition, often through clever means such as trading food for lessons with local children.
- His stealthy methods of learning underscore the ironic situation where a slave could outsmart white boys.
- Abolition and a desire for freedom resonate with Douglass as he grasps the moral implications of slavery through literature.
- The impact of personal and familial ties in slavery is illustrated by Frederick being returned to the plantation after the death of his master, emphasizing the lack of agency afforded to enslaved people.
- Douglass critiques the inconsistency of "adopted slaveholders" and how their cruelty, often justified by religion, adds to the brutality of slavery.
- Mr. Covey is introduced as a notorious slave-breaker, highlighting the psychological and physical trauma inflicted upon slaves to maintain control.
- The transition from the hopeful education in Baltimore to the harsh reality of Mr. Covey's plantation represents Douglass's battle between hope and repression.
- Frederick's determination grows through adversity; he views learning as a key to his eventual freedom, despite its initial personal cost.
Themes to Consider
- Ignorance vs. Knowledge: Constant tension between the oppressive nature of not knowing and the empowerment that comes from education.
- Dehumanization: Treatment of slaves akin to livestock, illustrating a deep societal and moral failing.
- Irony of Religion: Religious individuals often exacerbate cruelty in slaveholding, contrasting with the principles of compassion.
- Social Hierarchies in Slavery: The pecking order among slaves and different treatment based on their abilities and conformity to expectations.
Character Dynamics
- Frederick Douglass: A determined character who seeks education as a pathway to freedom and understanding.
- Colonel Lloyd: Represents the cruel plantation owner whose human disregard is evident in his treatment of both horses and slaves.
- Mr. Auld: Embodies the oppressive educational barriers imposed on slaves, while Mrs. Auld's initial kindness contrasts her husband's harshness.
Important Quotes
- "To be accused was to be convicted, and to be convicted was to be punished;" emphasizes the lack of justice for enslaved individuals.
- "Learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing," reflects Douglass's internal conflict as knowledge brings both awareness and despair.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Chapters 1-9 of Frederick Douglass' autobiography with these flashcards. Each card highlights key questions and concepts, helping to understand Douglass's early life and the impact of slavery. Perfect for students studying American history and literature.
