Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass Ch 1-3

Questions and Answers

Why is Frederick not sure when he was born?

Slaves did not have a record of birth and they were not allowed to ask questions.

What is Frederick's last name at birth?

Bailey

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

It takes away their humanity.

Who was Frederick's mother and father?

Mother was a slave named Harriet Bailey. Father was believed to be a white man and his first master, Captain Anthony. 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?

His wife would be mad for treating them better than his kids and he doesn't want to look weak. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother?

She was sent to a different plantation right before Frederick was about 12 months. 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 over slaves and make them work. Signup and view all the answers

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

The slaveholder owned the slaves, the overseer ran the plantation and was in charge of slaves and reported to the slaveholder. Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn about Plummer, the overseer?

He was a miserable drunk, cruel, savage monster that beats slaves badly. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Frederick's first master?

Captain Anthony Signup and view all the answers

Why does Frederick tell the story of Lloyd's Ned and his Aunt Hester?

His aunt was a slave of Colonel Lloyd who he desired and forbade to see Ned. She was beaten after visiting him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick state about slaves knowing their ages?

By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick say about Mr. Plummer?

He was a cruel man, hardened by a long life of slaveholding. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the blood-stained gate Frederick mentions?

It symbolizes the entrance to hell of slavery, marking a significant turning point in his life. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the family members of Frederick's master, Captain Anthony?

Lucretia Auld, Thomas Auld, Andrew Lloyd, and Richard Lloyd. Signup and view all the answers

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

Frederick's master, Captain Anthony, was Colonel Lloyd's clerk and superintendent. Signup and view all the answers

Was there a pecking order among the slaves?

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?

Because they could be sold to even worse owners. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to find copies of slave songs?

Most were never written down. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Severe an appropriate name for the overseer?

He was cruel, strict, and severe to slaves. Signup and view all the answers

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

They didn't have anything to sing happily about. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick say about the slaves given errands at Colonel Lloyd's house?

They were considered the smartest and most trustworthy. Signup and view all the answers

What does Frederick mean when he says crying for joy and singing for joy were uncommon to him while in slavery?

He would not know happiness while enslaved. Signup and view all the answers

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

He put tar on the fence. Signup and view all the answers

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

Whatever you did was wrong and you'd still get beat. 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 treated slaves like animals and the horses highly as a person should be treated. Signup and view all the answers

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

He was handcuffed and sent to Georgia traders known to be much more cruel. Signup and view all the answers

What does the slave maxim 'A still tongue makes a wise head' mean?

It is best to suppress the truth rather than face the consequences of speaking the truth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Frederick Douglass: Early Life and Slavery

Douglass was uncertain about his birthdate due to the lack of birth records for slaves.
He was born with the last name Bailey.
Slaveholders intentionally kept slaves ignorant of their birth dates to strip them of their humanity.
Douglass's mother was Harriet Bailey, and his father was believed to be Captain Anthony, his first master.
Slaveholders who fathered children with slaves tended to be harsher, fearing repercussions from their wives and wanting to appear strong.
Frederick rarely saw his mother, as she was sent to another plantation when he was about a year old. He had little memory of her and she died when he was seven.
It was common for slave mothers to be separated from their children shortly after birth, with children cared for by elderly slaves unable to work.

Plantation Life and Slaveholders' Cruelty

The overseer on the plantation was responsible for monitoring slave labor.
The relationship on the plantation was structured: the slaveholder owned the slaves, the overseer managed them, and the slaves performed the work.
Plummer, the overseer, was known for being a cruel and abusive drunkard.
Douglass's first master was Captain Anthony.
The story of Aunt Hester illustrates the brutality of slavery; she was beaten after being caught visiting a male slave, which profoundly affected Douglass's worldview.

Slavery's Dehumanization

Douglass noted that most slaves were ignorant of their ages, similar to horses, as slaveholders aimed to keep them uninformed.
Mr. Plummer's cruelty was emblematic of many slaveholders, emphasizing the harsh realities slaves faced.
Douglass described witnessing violence against his aunt as a pivotal moment that altered his perception of slavery.
Family ties among slaveholders are illustrated by Colonel Lloyd’s family ties to Douglass's master, Captain Anthony, who served as Lloyd’s clerk.

Hierarchy and Fear within Slavery

A pecking order existed among slaves, with tasks and roles determining their hierarchy on plantations.
Slaves in poor conditions feared being sold to worse owners, highlighting the unpredictable nature of their existence.
Slave songs were rarely documented, mainly passed down orally due to their unrecorded nature.
The overseer Severe was aptly named for his brutal treatment of enslaved individuals.

Expressions of Suffering

Douglass argued that slaves sang from sorrow rather than joy, as they had little to celebrate.
The behavior of slaves chosen for errands indicated favor, being seen as the smartest and most trustworthy among their peers.
Most experiences of Douglass involved sadness rather than joy, contrasting the use of singing as an expression of sadness rather than happiness.

Treatment of Slaves vs. Animals

Colonel Lloyd employed methods, such as tar on fences, to deter slave boys from stealing fruit, instilling fear through punitive measures.
Supervising Colonel Lloyd's horses was a tough job for slaves, as mistakes led to severe punishment.
Ironic to note, Colonel Lloyd cared more for his horses than for his slaves, highlighting the dehumanization of enslaved people.
A slave who told Colonel Lloyd about the treatment he endured faced severe consequences, being sold to known cruel traders, signifying a dangerous environment for those who spoke the truth.

Caution in Slavery

A common slave adage, “A still tongue makes a wise head,” warns against speaking the truth, illustrating the necessity of silence to avoid punishment in the context of slavery.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the first three chapters of 'Narrative on the Life of Frederick Douglass'. This quiz covers important concepts like Frederick's birth, his last name, and the implications of slaveholders keeping slaves ignorant. Ideal for students studying Douglass's life and legacy.