Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the author and narrator of the Narrative?
Who is the author and narrator of the Narrative?
Frederick Douglass
Who is Douglass's first master?
Who is Douglass's first master?
Captain Anthony
Who is Captain Anthony's boss?
Who is Captain Anthony's boss?
Colonel Edward Lloyd
Who is Captain Anthony's daughter and Thomas Auld's wife?
Who is Captain Anthony's daughter and Thomas Auld's wife?
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Who is the husband of Lucretia Auld?
Who is the husband of Lucretia Auld?
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Who is Douglass's occasional master living in Baltimore?
Who is Douglass's occasional master living in Baltimore?
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What is the name of Hugh Auld's wife?
What is the name of Hugh Auld's wife?
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Who is a notorious slave 'breaker' and Douglass's keeper for one year?
Who is a notorious slave 'breaker' and Douglass's keeper for one year?
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What is the name of Douglass's grandmother?
What is the name of Douglass's grandmother?
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What is the name of Douglass's aunt?
What is the name of Douglass's aunt?
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When does Douglass's mother die?
When does Douglass's mother die?
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Who is a slave acquaintance of Douglass known for being superstitious?
Who is a slave acquaintance of Douglass known for being superstitious?
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Who does Douglass remember as the most fair master?
Who does Douglass remember as the most fair master?
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Who is the family member of Thomas Auld that sometimes takes charge of Douglass?
Who is the family member of Thomas Auld that sometimes takes charge of Douglass?
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What trade is Douglass assigned to learn?
What trade is Douglass assigned to learn?
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What is the first name of Douglass's wife?
What is the first name of Douglass's wife?
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Who is the founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society?
Who is the founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society?
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Where is the anti-slavery convention where Douglass first speaks publicly?
Where is the anti-slavery convention where Douglass first speaks publicly?
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In what city does Douglass live most of his life before escaping?
In what city does Douglass live most of his life before escaping?
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What crop(s) grow on Lloyd's plantations?
What crop(s) grow on Lloyd's plantations?
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Who is often responsible for whipping slaves in the Lloyd family?
Who is often responsible for whipping slaves in the Lloyd family?
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What is the name of the slave murdered by overseer Gore?
What is the name of the slave murdered by overseer Gore?
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How does Douglass ultimately make his escape to the North?
How does Douglass ultimately make his escape to the North?
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Compared to other slaves, mixed-race slaves like Douglass are treated ___?
Compared to other slaves, mixed-race slaves like Douglass are treated ___?
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Before Douglass leaves for Baltimore, Lucretia Auld gives him his first ___?
Before Douglass leaves for Baltimore, Lucretia Auld gives him his first ___?
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When Douglass' grandmother got too old to work in the fields, she was ___?
When Douglass' grandmother got too old to work in the fields, she was ___?
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The white-sailed ships Douglass sees moving up the Chesapeake Bay represent ___?
The white-sailed ships Douglass sees moving up the Chesapeake Bay represent ___?
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Which character represents the ignorance and superstitious nature of many slaves?
Which character represents the ignorance and superstitious nature of many slaves?
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What document did Douglass read at age 12 that greatly influenced his philosophy and later writings?
What document did Douglass read at age 12 that greatly influenced his philosophy and later writings?
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Who is Douglass's nemesis?
Who is Douglass's nemesis?
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Study Notes
Frederick Douglass
- Author and narrator of the Narrative; a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement.
- Escaped slavery at twenty, detailing his experiences from childhood captivity to political activism.
- Aims to refute assumptions about intelligent and articulate former slaves.
Captain Anthony
- First master of Douglass, potentially his father; manages Colonel Lloyd's plantations.
- Known for his cruelty, particularly towards Douglass's Aunt Hester.
- Earned the title "Captain" from piloting ships on the Chesapeake Bay.
Colonel Edward Lloyd
- Captain Anthony's employer and Douglass's principal owner.
- Extremely wealthy, possessing slaves and lands in Douglass's youth.
- Maintained strict control and often punished slaves unjustly.
Lucretia Auld
- Daughter of Captain Anthony, inherits half of his property including Douglass after his death.
- Exhibits cruelty comparable to that of her husband.
Captain Thomas Auld
- Husband of Lucretia Auld and brother to Hugh Auld.
- Gained slaves through marriage and became increasingly brutal under the guise of piety after attending church.
Hugh Auld
- Douglass's occasional master living in Baltimore; aware of the power dynamics of race.
- More lenient than his brother but becomes harsher later due to drinking.
Sophia Auld
- Wife of Hugh Auld; originally kind and sympathetic but becomes cruel after gaining ownership of a slave.
Edward Covey
- Renowned slave "breaker," Douglass's keeper for a year known for cruel methods.
- Utilized deception and intimidation to control slaves, creating a climate of fear.
Betsy Bailey
- Douglass's grandmother who cared for him after his mother was taken away.
- Lived her life serving the Anthony family, ultimately abandoned in old age.
Aunt Hester
- Douglass's beautiful aunt, often whipped by Captain Anthony due to his obsession with her.
Harriet Bailey
- Douglass's mother, separated from him after birth and dies while he is young.
Sandy Jenkins
- Superstitious acquaintance of Douglass representing the lack of education among slaves.
- Kind to Douglass during his escape but possibly betrays him later.
William Freeland
- Douglass's most fair and straightforward master, acknowledged for his exceptional fairness.
William Hamilton
- Father-in-law of Thomas Auld, occasionally takes charge of Douglass and arrests him for escape plotting.
William Gardner
- Shipbuilder in Baltimore where Douglass learns caulking; experiences racial tensions in the shipyard.
Anna Murray
- Douglass's wife, a free black woman from Baltimore; marries him after his escape.
Nathan Johnson
- Massachusetts worker and abolitionist who supports Douglass and his family, suggesting Douglass's new name.
William Lloyd Garrison
- Founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society; hires Douglass for his oratory skills after being impressed by his speech.
Wendell Phillips
- President of the American Anti-Slavery Society; views Douglass as a friend but worries for his safety.
Thematic Elements
- Mixed-race slaves like Douglass often faced harsher treatment.
- Douglass’s eventual understanding of slavery's evils began as he heard fellow slaves singing.
- Education was a path to freedom; Douglass taught himself to read, credited as key to his liberation.
Significant Events and Details
- Douglass's grandmother was abandoned when too old to work.
- He took special note of ships bound for Philadelphia during a pivotal sailing journey.
- The date of Douglass's escape to New York is September 3, 1838.
Symbolism and Concepts
- Freedom is symbolized by the white-sailed ships Douglass sees on Chesapeake Bay.
- Douglass’s experiences highlighted the corruption of Christianity through slave ownership, embodied in Thomas Auld.
- His narrative emphasized how abolitionist perspectives had previously been controlled by privileged individuals.
Final Insights
- Douglass often compared his exploitative experiences, including having to hand over wages, to being treated like a pirate.
- His writings not only tell his personal story but also serve as a broader critique of the institution of slavery and its impacts.
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Description
Explore the key characters and plot elements of 'The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.' This flashcard quiz will help you understand Douglass's journey from slavery to freedom and his role as a prominent abolitionist. Test your knowledge and learn about the important themes in his narrative.
