Questions and Answers
Where was Frederick Douglass born?
Tuckahoe
Why does Douglass have no knowledge of his birth date?
Slave owners keep their slaves ignorant of their birth dates.
Who was Douglass' mother?
Harriet Bailey
Who was Douglass' probable father?
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When was Douglass separated from his mother?
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How many times did Douglass see his mother?
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What time of day did Douglass see his mother?
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How did Douglass react to his mother's death?
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What does Douglass mean when he talks about the 'double relation' that some slaves have to their masters?
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Why do children of a slave-owning father and slave mother have the worst lot of the slaves?
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What do masters often do with their biracial slave children?
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Who was Frederick Douglass' first master?
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Captain Anthony was considered a rich slave owner.
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Who was the overseer on Captain Anthony's farm?
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'It was the bloodstained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass.' What is Frederick Douglass talking about in this line?
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'It was the bloodstained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass.' This line is an example of which literary device?
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What event does Douglass connect with his introduction to the horrors of slavery?
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How does Frederick Douglass describe his Aunt Hester?
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Why does Captain Anthony whip Aunt Hester?
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Who were the members of Captain Anthony's family?
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Who did Captain Anthony work for?
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What was Captain Anthony's title/job?
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What products were grown on Captain Anthony's farm?
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How often did slaves receive their food allowance?
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How often did slaves receive their clothing allowance?
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What kind of clothing did slave children receive?
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Why was not having a bed to sleep in not considered a big problem for the slaves?
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Who was Mr. Severe?
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Mr. Severe's name is an example of what literary device?
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Who took over after Mr. Severe died?
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How were Severe and Hopkins different?
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What do Colonel Lloyd's slaves call the plantation on which Douglass grows up?
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What was the greatest attraction on Colonel Lloyd's plantation?
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How did Colonel Lloyd protect his garden?
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Which slaves were in charge of Colonel Lloyd's horses?
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How many slaves did Colonel Lloyd have?
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Did Colonel Lloyd know all of his slaves by name?
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Did all of the slaves know what Colonel Lloyd looked like?
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How must a slave answer if someone asked him about how he was treated as a slave?
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Why does Frederick Douglass say that the slaves have their own prejudices?
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'I was so terrified and horror-stricken at the sight, that I hid myself in a closet, and dared not venture out till long after the bloody transaction was over. I expected it would be my turn next.' What literary device are these lines an example of?
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According to Frederick Douglass, slaves sing most when they are most ______.
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'They seemed to realize the impossibility of touching tar without being defiled.' In this line, the word 'tar' is a symbol for what?
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From what point of view is the narrative written?
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Frederick Douglass' narrative is an example of what type of genre?
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Study Notes
Frederick Douglass: Key Facts and Context
- Born in Tuckahoe, Maryland, Frederick Douglass lacked knowledge of his birth date due to slave owners purposely keeping their slaves unaware of such personal information.
- His mother, Harriet Bailey, was separated from him when he was an infant, seeing her only four or five times, typically at night.
- Douglass reacted to his mother’s death as if responding to the loss of a stranger, highlighting the detachment fostered by slavery.
- The "double relation" concept describes the complex dynamics where some slaves are both the property and children of their masters, complicating their identities and relationships.
- Children born of a slave mother and slave-owning father often faced extreme prejudice and mistreatment, particularly from the master's wife.
- Douglass’ first master, Captain Anthony, was not wealthy but managed a plantation with significant oversight responsibilities.
- Brutal treatment on the plantation was exemplified by Captain Anthony's violent whipping of Douglass' Aunt Hester, marking Douglass’ awareness of slavery’s horrors.
- Captain Anthony’s family included two sons and a daughter married to Thomas Auld, while he worked under Colonel Edward Lloyd as a superintendent.
- The main crops cultivated on Captain Anthony’s farm included tobacco, corn, and wheat.
- Slave provisions were meager: food was allocated once a month, clothing was given annually, and children received only two shirts for their attire.
- Lack of beds was overshadowed by the minimal rest slaves were allowed, emphasizing their relentless labor conditions.
- Mr. Severe, an overseer known for cruelty, was replaced by Mr. Hopkins, who was considered less harsh.
- Douglass described Colonel Lloyd's plantation, called Great House Farm, which boasted a renowned cultivated garden protected by a tarred fence.
- Colonel Lloyd owned approximately 1,000 slaves; however, he did not know all of them individually, nor did most slaves recognize him.
- Slaves were obligated to claim they were treated well, reflecting the oppressive environment where dissent or truth-telling could lead to punishment.
- Slavery fostered infighting among slaves, as some believed their masters were superior to those of others, indicating complex social hierarchies even among the oppressed.
- Douglass highlighted the psychological toll of slavery, suggesting that slaves often sang most deeply in moments of despair.
- The narrative employs first-person point of view, enhancing the personal account of his experiences as a form of non-fiction autobiography.
- Literary devices like metaphor (comparing slavery to hell) and foreshadowing (Douglass' fear of becoming a victim himself) enrich the emotional depth of his story.
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Description
Explore the significant events and context surrounding the life of Frederick Douglass. This quiz examines his early life experiences, the impact of slavery on his identity, and the complex relationships formed within the institution of slavery. Delve into the details that shaped Douglass as a key figure in American history.
