Frederick Douglass Chapters 1-9 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

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?

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?

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?

He suggests that the slaves were like animals and the horses were treated better. Signup and view all the answers

How does Master Thomas propose to 'break' Frederick?

By sending him off to Edward Covey for a year. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of the verb 'to break' ironic?

His job is to break their spirit and hopes. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Mr. Covey's reputation for breaking slaves of great value?

He received slaves for free and was paid by other slave owners to hurt their slaves. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick suggest that Mr. Covey's 'pious soul' adds to his reputation as a 'niger-breaker'?

The more religious a man was, the harsher a slave owner/slave breaker he was. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick mean when he says 'After his conversion, he found religious sanction and support for his slaveholding cruelty'?

He is referring to Thomas Auld, who used his knowledge of religion to justify his treatment of the slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick imply by saying 'He resolved to put me out, as he said, to be broken'?

Frederick was sent to Edward Covey for a year because Covey had a reputation for breaking a slave's spirit. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Frederick not sure when he was born?

No birth records Signup and view all the answers

What is Frederick's last name at birth?

Bailey Signup and view all the answers

Why would slaveholders want to keep a slave ignorant of such a simple thing as the date of his birth?

They don't want them to have any knowledge, feel important, or gain any power. Signup and view all the answers

Who were Frederick's mother and father?

A white man/slave owner (Captain Anthony) and a woman slave (Harriet Bailey). Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick make the point that a slaveholder who has fathered a child is likely to be tougher on that child?

Because the slaveholder needs to show his wife he doesn't have feelings towards that child and doesn't want to have 'fathered it'. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother?

He was taken away from his mother; she was sent to another plantation and then died. Signup and view all the answers

Is Frederick's relationship with his mother typical of other slave children?

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the overseer on the plantation?

To watch the slaves; disciplines the slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship of the slaveholder to the overseer to the slave on the plantation?

The slave owner owns the slaves; the overseer takes care of them/disciplines them; the slave is nothing. Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about Plummer, the overseer?

He was a really bad overseer; a drunkard; harsh in the whipping. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Frederick's first master?

Captain Aaron Anthony Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick tell the story of Lloyd's Ned?

Aunt Hester (a slave) snuck out to see him, and it was FD's first witnessing of a whipping; 'entrance into hell'. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick mean by 'the blood-stained gate, the entrance to hell of slavery'?

It was like a gateway for him to see how bad slavery really was. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the family members of Frederick's master Colonel Edward Lloyd?

Two sons and a daughter, each with a spouse. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship of Colonel Lloyd to Frederick's master?

He is the father-in-law; married to Lucretia (daughter of Lloyd). Signup and view all the answers

Was there a pecking order among slaves? Explain.

True Signup and view all the answers

Why would a slave whose life on a plantation was very bad fear being sold to a slave-trader?

The slave trader was going south; it could get worse; farther from freedom. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Severe an appropriate name for the overseer?

He was mean; more than just mean; he did bad things to people and broke them down. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to find copies of slave songs?

They didn't write them down because they didn't know how to, and sometimes the songs were improvised/changed. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick suggest that slaves sing out of sorrow rather than out of joy?

No one is happy; nothing is happy; that's the life they live; it was negative about slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick mean by 'crying for joy and singing for joy were alike uncommon to me while in the jaws of slavery'?

There was no joy, no variation of moods; they were sad all the time. Signup and view all the answers

How did Colonel Lloyd keep the slave boys from taking his fruit?

He put tar on the fence, so if the slave climbed it, the tar would stay on them. He built a fence around his garden and coated it with tar. Signup and view all the answers

Why was it particularly difficult to be the slaves in charge of Colonel Lloyd's horses?

Old Barney and Young Barney faced punishments because Colonel Lloyd always managed to find something wrong with the way the slaves handled the horses. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about Colonel Lloyd's treatment of his horses compared to the treatment of his slaves?

He treats the horses better than the slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the slave who told Colonel Lloyd the truth about his master?

He was sold to a more cruel plantation in Georgia. Signup and view all the answers

What is a maxim?

A maxim is a short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the slave maxim: 'a still tongue makes a wise head'.

If you don't say anything, you won't get in any trouble. Less talking means you're focused more on your tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Mr. Austin Gore a 'first-rate overseer'?

He didn't put up with anyone's attitude; he was very mean and strict. Signup and view all the answers

What is the irony of Mr. Gore's description?

All of Mr. Gore's qualities are cruel and mean; Douglass does not actually like him but points out that Mr. Gore's character is perfect for the role of overseer. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about Mr. Gore's name?

Mr. Gore shot a slave in the head and whipped slaves often, so it is safe to say that his name matches his 'gory' job. Signup and view all the answers

What reason does Mr. Gore give for killing Demby the slave?

Demby wouldn't get out of the water; he had become unmanageable and was setting a poor example. Signup and view all the answers

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'?

Examples include Mrs. Hicks hitting a slave, putting a grandmother in the woods to die, and other violent acts without consequence. Signup and view all the answers

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?

It's better that slaves get whipped than an overseer getting in trouble. Signup and view all the answers

What does Douglass mean when he says, 'to be accused was to be convicted, and to be convicted was to be punished'?

If you were a slave accused of a crime, you were already guilty with no judge, jury, or trial. Signup and view all the answers

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?

He would rather use violence instead of words/talking it out. Signup and view all the answers

What was life like for Frederick on the plantation?

Horrible Signup and view all the answers

Why was Frederick so happy to be leaving the plantation?

Because it was somewhere else; he wanted to get away from his current slave owner. Signup and view all the answers

Why did he particularly want to go to Baltimore?

Cousin Tom inspired him with the 'eloquent' description of the place. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship did his new master have to his old master?

Hugh Auld was the brother to his old master's son-in-law. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Frederick not know the month or year of his sailing?

They never told him; slaves weren't allowed to know. Signup and view all the answers

What were Frederick's initial impressions of his new mistress, Mrs. Sophia Auld?

She was very nice and allowed him to speak to her. Signup and view all the answers

What does Douglass mean by 'divine Providence' in regards to his move to Baltimore?

He indicates that a greater force led him to Baltimore; this rekindled his faith. Signup and view all the answers

To what does Frederick attribute the kindness of Mrs. Auld?

She never had slaves so she didn't know how to treat them. Signup and view all the answers

What, according to Frederick, changes Mrs. Auld?

The power of having slaves; her husband changed her view on slavery. Signup and view all the answers

Why is Mr. Auld angry when he finds that Mrs. Auld is teaching Frederick his letters?

A slave isn't allowed to learn anything; knowledge is power and slaves don't deserve any power. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick call Mr. Auld's forbidding his learning how to read 'invaluable instruction'?

He taught him how important education is without even teaching. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the inability to read keep men enslaved according to Frederick and Mr. Auld?

Because they won't know how to read signs, directions, or where to go. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick hope to gain by learning how to read?

Freedom Signup and view all the answers

Who teaches Frederick why black men are not taught to read?

Mr. Auld; said the dumber they are, the more they are worth. Signup and view all the answers

Why is this lesson so important to him?

Education and knowledge; he wants to teach other slaves. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the life of a city slave so much better than the life of a plantation slave?

City slaves have freedom and less labor; more opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick relate the story of the slaves Henrietta and Mary?

To show the difference between two sides of the street; not all were alike in the city. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hugh Auld mean when he says, 'if you teach that slave how to read, there would be no keeping him'?

Teaching a slave would make him want more knowledge and unmanageable. Signup and view all the answers

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'?

Hugh Auld motivated him to learn more by telling him he can't have knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What does Douglass mean by 'a city slave is almost a free man, compared with a slave on the plantation'?

City slaves have more freedom and are not confined to one place. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mrs. Auld change and why did she change?

She became meaner because her husband told her how to treat slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What plan did Frederick adopt to learn how to read now that Mrs. Auld was no longer teaching him?

He befriended neighborhood boys and gave them bread for reading lessons. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it ironic that he bribed the little white boys to teach him to read?

You don't expect a slave to be better off than a white boy; FD had bread; white boys did not. Signup and view all the answers

What irony does Frederick find in the statement: 'It is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country.'?

A Christian should want to teach those who are ignorant, but they do not. Signup and view all the answers

What did Frederick learn from the book 'The Colombian Orator'?

The word 'abolish'; that slavery was wrong. Signup and view all the answers

How does Master Auld's prediction about Frederick and learning come true?

When FD does start to learn, he wants to know more; he teaches himself to write. Signup and view all the answers

How does Frederick learn the meanings of the words abolition and abolitionist?

Through the newspaper. Signup and view all the answers

What do the two Irishmen encourage him to do? Why does he not trust them?

They encourage him to run away; he doesn't trust them because they might be setting him up. Signup and view all the answers

How does Frederick learn to write?

He mimics letters on boats and uses Tommy's old school notebooks. Signup and view all the answers

How does he trick the white boys into teaching him new letters?

He says, 'I bet I can write better than you.' Signup and view all the answers

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'?

It gave FD the extra push to learn more; starting education fueled his desire for learning. Signup and view all the answers

What does Douglass mean when he says, 'I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing'?

Reading opened his eyes to his wretched condition without providing a way out. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Frederick forced to return to the plantation after the death of his master?

The master died without a will, so FD was property divided among family. Signup and view all the answers

How was the value of the master's property determined? How were the slaves valued?

Slaves were valued based on logic and potential work output; treated as animals. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the division of property between Mistress Lucretia and Master Andrew so horrifying to the slaves?

No one wanted to go with Andrew because he was mean, cruel, and abusive. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Frederick's grandmother after the deaths of Lucretia and Andrew?

She was put up in a little hut in the woods, left to die alone. Signup and view all the answers

How does this anecdote help explain the value of slaves?

It shows that owners couldn't care less if slaves lived or died; valued based on work ethic. Signup and view all the answers

How are slaves valued when compared to livestock?

Both were valued based on their utility; sometimes livestock was valued more. Signup and view all the answers

Who owns Frederick by the end of chapter eight?

Master Thomas Auld Signup and view all the answers

Why is Frederick forced to leave Baltimore?

His previous masters had all died. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick now know the date?

Because he can read and write now. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Frederick's newest Master?

Thomas Auld Signup and view all the answers

What rule of slaveholding does Master Thomas Auld violate?

True Signup and view all the answers

How did the slaves get food?

They begged or stole it. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick say that 'adopted slaveholders are the worst'?

His remark reflects the brutality associated with those new to slaveholding. Signup and view all the answers

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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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.