Fredrick Douglass Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How many people were in the narrator's master's family (Anthony's)?

2 sons, one daughter, one son-in-law

What is the relation between Anthony and Lloyd?

Anthony is Lloyd's superintendent and clerk

How many years did Douglass spend on Lloyd/Anthony's plantation?

2 years

Where is Anthony's plantation located?

On the border of Miles River Signup and view all the answers

What main products were raised on Anthony's plantation?

Tobacco, corn, wheat Signup and view all the answers

How did Anthony take his products to the market and where is the market?

On a large sloop to the market in Baltimore Signup and view all the answers

What was the sloop's name and why?

Sally Lloyd after the colonel's daughter Signup and view all the answers

Who was the master of the sloop?

The colonel's son-in-law; Captain Auld Signup and view all the answers

What were the names of the colonel's slaves and why were they 'highly esteemed'?

Peter, Isaac, Rich, Jake; they were considered privileged because they were allowed to see Baltimore Signup and view all the answers

How many slaves did the Colonel have on his plantation?

300-400 Signup and view all the answers

What were the names of the farms neighboring the home plantation (the 2 nearest)?

Wye Town and New Design Signup and view all the answers

Where did the overseers of all 20+ of Lloyd's farms receive advice and direction?

From the managers of the home plantation Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the home plantation?

It is 'the great business place'; where disputes were settled and food/clothing were distributed Signup and view all the answers

What happened to slaves who were disobedient or determined to run away?

They were brought to the home plantation, severely whipped, put on the sloop, shipped to Baltimore, and sold Signup and view all the answers

What was the monthly allowance of food?

For men and women: 8 pounds of pork or fish, one bushel of corn meal Signup and view all the answers

What was the yearly clothing allowance?

2 linen shirts, one pair of linen trousers, one jacket, one pair of trousers for winter, one pair of stockings, one pair of shoes (cost no more than $7) Signup and view all the answers

How were allowances for slave children distributed?

To their mothers or the women taking care of them Signup and view all the answers

How much clothing were children given?

Only two linen shirts (no trousers, jackets, stockings, shoes) Signup and view all the answers

What happened if the children's linen shirts failed them?

They went naked until the next allowance day Signup and view all the answers

What did the slaves receive for beds?

Only one coarse blanket Signup and view all the answers

How much sleep did slaves get and why?

Very little if any because after work they had washing, mending, and cooking to do Signup and view all the answers

What are the sleeping arrangements?

All ages and genders lie down on the cold damp floor with their miserable blankets Signup and view all the answers

What happened if you didn't wake up to the horn sound?

You were whipped or hit with a hickory stick Signup and view all the answers

Who was the overseer on Lloyd's plantation?

Mr. Severe Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mr. Severe and give an example of his brutality.

He was a cruel man, profane swearer; he whipped a woman brutally in front of her children Signup and view all the answers

When did Mr. Severe die and how?

Very soon after Douglass went to Lloyd's, he died cursing and groaning Signup and view all the answers

What did the slaves consider Severe's death to be?

'The result of merciful providence' Signup and view all the answers

Who took Mr. Severe's place?

Mr. Hopkins Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mr. Hopkins.

Less cruel, less profane, called a good overseer, whipped but didn't enjoy it Signup and view all the answers

What did Lloyd's home plantation resemble?

A country village because all operations were performed here Signup and view all the answers

What did slaves call the home plantation?

'The Great House Farm' Signup and view all the answers

What made the home plantation different from neighboring farms?

The number of houses and the business-like feel Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the highest esteemed privileges in the eyes of the slaves from the outer farms?

Being chosen to do errands at the Great House Farm Signup and view all the answers

What did slaves who were chosen to collect the monthly allowance at the Great House do on the way?

They sang their own songs that conveyed deep sadness and great joy Signup and view all the answers

How might others perceive these songs versus how the slaves perceived them?

Others might see the words as meaningless jargon, but slaves held deeper meaning Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator think these songs are significant?

They could teach people more about slavery than large volumes of books Signup and view all the answers

Did the slave songs affect the narrator at the time?

No, they depressed his spirit Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator feel about the songs now?

They move him to tears Signup and view all the answers

What is the greatest mistake people make in interpreting the songs?

Thinking they are signs of the slaves' contentment and happiness Signup and view all the answers

What does blasphemy mean?

Profane talk Signup and view all the answers

What is coopering?

Repairing of casks and barrels Signup and view all the answers

What does desolate mean?

Deserted of people; in a state of bleak emptiness Signup and view all the answers

What does evinced mean?

To show a feeling of or desire to Signup and view all the answers

What does fiendish mean?

Extremely cruel or unpleasant Signup and view all the answers

What does ineffable mean?

Unable to be expressed in words Signup and view all the answers

What does jargon mean?

Slang used for a specific group of people Signup and view all the answers

What does manifesting mean?

Demonstrating Signup and view all the answers

What does rapturous mean?

Characterized by feeling, showing great enthusiasm or pleasure Signup and view all the answers

What does sloop mean?

A sailboat Signup and view all the answers

What does cartwrighting mean?

Making carts Signup and view all the answers

What does conferred mean?

Granted or bestowed Signup and view all the answers

What does exultingly mean?

A manner showing great feelings of joy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Master and Plantation Structure

Master Anthony's family consists of 2 sons, 1 daughter, and 1 son-in-law.
Anthony serves as the superintendent and clerk for Colonel Lloyd.
Douglass spent 2 years on Lloyd/Anthony's plantation, located on the border of Miles River.

Plantation Operations and Products

Main products produced include tobacco, corn, and wheat.
Products were transported to the market in Baltimore via a large sloop named Sally Lloyd, named after the colonel's daughter.
The sloop was operated by Captain Auld, who was the colonel's son-in-law, assisted by Colonel Lloyd’s slaves.

Slave Population and Management

Colonel Lloyd owned approximately 300 to 400 slaves, with more on neighboring farms.
Neighboring farms nearest to the home plantation are Wye Town and New Design.
Overseers of all 20+ farms received guidance from managers at the home plantation, known as "the great business place."

Treatment and Living Conditions of Slaves

Disobedient slaves faced severe punishment: whipped, shipped to Baltimore, and sold as warnings to others.
Monthly food allowance consisted of 8 pounds of pork or fish and one bushel of corn meal; yearly clothing was minimal.
Clothing for children was limited to two linen shirts, with no trousers, jackets, or shoes, leaving them often naked.

Sleep and Living Arrangements

Slaves received very little sleep as they worked continuously, with men and women sleeping on a cold, damp floor with a coarse blanket.
Waking to the sound of a driver’s horn was mandatory; failure resulted in severe punishment.

Overseer Dynamics

Mr. Severe was described as cruel and profane; known for brutal punishments, including whipping a woman in front of her children.
Following Mr. Severe's death, Mr. Hopkins took over; he was viewed as less cruel and profane by the slaves.

Home Plantation Features

The home plantation resembled a country village, performing various operations like shoemaking, blacksmithing, and weaving.
Slaves referred to the home plantation as "The Great House Farm" due to its central role and organization compared to neighboring farms.

Slave Culture and Music

Selected slaves sent on errands to the Great House Farm sang songs expressing their emotions; these carried deep meaning despite being perceived as mere noise by others.
Songs provided insight into the slaves' inner suffering and resistance, as well as their desire for freedom.

Reflections on Slave Songs

The narrator acknowledges his inability to understand the depth of these songs at the time but now perceives them as significant expressions of sorrow and a glimpse into the dehumanization of slavery.
Misinterpretation occurs when people view slave songs as signs of contentment rather than expressions of suffering and resistance.

Key Terms and Definitions

Blasphemy: Profane talk indicative of the harsh realities of slavery.
Coopering: The craft of repairing casks and barrels, relevant to the home plantation’s diverse operations.
Desolate: Referring to places or feelings of bleak emptiness, common in the lives of the enslaved.
Fiendish: Describes extreme cruelty, often seen in slave treatment.
Ineffable: Represents emotions such as deep sadness that cannot be adequately expressed in words.
Sloop: A type of sailboat used for transporting goods.

These study notes encapsulate the brutal realities of slavery as depicted in Douglass's chapter, highlighting the interactions between the enslaved individuals, their environments, and the overseers in a systematic hierarchy of oppression.

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Test your knowledge on Chapter 2 of Fredrick Douglass's narrative with these flashcards. Each card focuses on key facts and relationships between characters, as well as important details regarding Douglass's experiences. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of this compelling chapter.