Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass Chapters 5-6

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Questions and Answers

What was life like on the plantation for young Frederick?

He had relatively easy jobs since he was too young for field labor; however, he was often cold and hungry.

Why was Frederick so happy to be leaving the plantation when he discovered he was being sent to Baltimore?

He had no reason to want to stay. His mother and grandmother had passed away, and he had no real relationship with his siblings.

What were the two reasons Frederick gave for trying very hard to clean himself well before leaving for Baltimore?

His master's wife was planning to give him his first pair of pants if he was clean enough, and he had heard that Baltimore was a beautiful place. He wanted to make a good impression.

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

His new master was his old master's brother. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Frederick, who was 7 or 8, not know the month or year of his sailing?

He was kept ignorant of everything, even time. Signup and view all the answers

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

He thought she was kind. Signup and view all the answers

What did Sophia Auld offer Frederick that he had not received from anyone else like her?

She offered him true kindness - and he said he had never experienced that before. Signup and view all the answers

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

She never owned a slave. Signup and view all the answers

What, according to Frederick, changes Mrs. Auld?

Owning slaves changes her. It is the poison of irresponsible power. Signup and view all the answers

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

He knows that keeping slaves ignorant is the only true power slave owners have over them. Signup and view all the answers

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

He unwittingly gives Frederick the knowledge that an education is the key to earning his freedom in the future. Signup and view all the answers

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

Knowledge is power, and having the ability to read and attain knowledge would make the slaves less likely to work and more likely to fight for their freedom. Signup and view all the answers

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

The key to freedom; he would be able to read and learn his rights, and to eventually write about his own experiences. Signup and view all the answers

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

Hugh Auld. Signup and view all the answers

Why is an education now important to Frederick?

It becomes clear that an education will help him become free. Signup and view all the answers

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

There is a sense of shame in punishing a slave in the city. Signup and view all the answers

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

To show that not all slaves were treated kindly, even though they were in the city. Signup and view all the answers

What are two ways that Sophia Auld demonstrates her inexperience in owning slaves?

She is uncomfortable with 'crouching servility,' and thinks it acceptable for a slave to look her in the eye. Signup and view all the answers

Why are both Mr. and Mrs. Auld credited by Douglass for his learning to read?

Mrs. Auld teaches Douglass his letters, and how to read three- and four-letter words, and Mr. Auld teaches Douglass that learning to read is his avenue out of slavery. Signup and view all the answers

Who else helped Douglass learn to read?

The boys on the streets of Baltimore were as much to thank as the Aulds. Signup and view all the answers

What does Douglass learn about the white man's power to enslave the black man in Chapter 6?

Douglass learns that the white man can keep the black race as slaves only if the slaves are kept illiterate. Signup and view all the answers

How does Mr. Auld's opinion of blacks learning to read further the knowledge of Douglass and his feelings of self-respect and racial pride?

Because Mr. Auld says that teaching blacks to read will mean that there is no keeping them, Douglass understands that blacks are as capable of learning to read as whites are, and only lack the opportunity to learn. Signup and view all the answers

How is life in the city better than life on the plantations for the slaves?

The slaves in the city have better clothes and more food, and white people in the city feel a sense of shame making cruelty toward slaves less commonplace. Signup and view all the answers

What two examples does Douglass give in Chapter 6 to describe the experiences of slaves?

Mr. and Mrs. Auld deny slaves the chance to learn to read and write, and Mrs. Hamilton is physically and emotionally abusive to her female slaves. Signup and view all the answers

What emotions is Douglass trying to evoke from his readers from his descriptions of slavery?

There is a sense that Douglass causes his readers to sympathize with the slaves in the incidents he describes, and come to understand that slavery is inhuman even if slaves are treated well. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Douglass give such different accounts of the type of treatment slaves were subjected to in Chapter 6?

He is emphasizing the diversity of the types of cruelty to which slaves are subjected. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Life on the Plantation

Young Frederick Douglass had relatively easy jobs but often faced cold and hunger.
His desire to leave the plantation stemmed from the loss of his family and lack of connections.

Transition to Baltimore

Frederick eagerly anticipated his move to Baltimore, viewing it as an opportunity to change his circumstances.
He aimed to make a good impression on his new master and receive a pair of pants from his mistress.

The Auld Family

Mrs. Sophia Auld was Frederick's new mistress and the sister of his old master.
Frederick initially perceived her as kind, experiencing genuine kindness for the first time in a slave's life.

Impact of Education

Mr. Auld's anger over Mrs. Auld teaching Frederick letters highlighted the power dynamic of slavery; keeping slaves ignorant was seen as essential for control.
Frederick recognized that education was crucial to gaining freedom, equating reading with empowerment and knowledge.

Exposure to Cruelty

Douglass shared stories of Henrietta and Mary to illustrate that city slaves could also face harsh treatment, dispelling the notion that city life was entirely benevolent.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Auld played significant roles in Frederick's literacy, making him aware of the value of learning.

City vs. Plantation Life

City slaves generally experienced better living conditions, including access to food and clothing, compared to plantation slaves.
A sense of shame surrounding the punishment of slaves in urban settings contributed to slightly improved conditions.

Douglass’ Learning Experience

Frederick learned the significance of reading through interactions with the Aulds and street boys, contributing to his self-respect and racial pride.
He discovered that literacy was a pathway for the enslaved to challenge their condition and seek freedom.

Emotional Appeal

Douglass aimed to evoke sympathy and understanding from his readers by detailing the inhumanity of slavery, regardless of the treatment of individual slaves.
His contrasting accounts of slave experiences underscored the varied forms of cruelty within the institution of slavery.

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