The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Ch. 11

Douglass and the Underground Railroad

• Douglass disapproves of the Underground Railroad because its notoriety may jeopardize escape efforts.

Escape from Slavery

• Douglass escaped on September 3, 1838, and made his way to New York City.

Northern Conditions for Colored People

• Douglass observed varying wealth among free Black individuals in the North and believed the region would struggle economically without slave labor.

Feelings of Loneliness

• Douglass felt isolated due to a lack of trust and support in his new environment. Although he encountered family members, he could not confide in them to avoid potential repercussions.

Personal Motto

• The motto “Trust no man” shaped Douglass’s outlook on his precarious situation.

Master Thomas's Exploitation

• Master Thomas incentivized Douglass to make money by offering a payment scheme that diminished Douglass's contributions and kept him in financial servitude.

Douglass's Request to Master Thomas

• Douglass sought autonomy by asking to be hired independently, wanting to avoid financial dependency on Master Thomas while pledging not to plan an escape.

Agreement with Master Hugh

• Douglass negotiated a working arrangement with Master Hugh, who was not excessively cruel. For Douglass, this arrangement was preferable to outright slavery.

Master Hugh's Reaction

• When Master Hugh learned of Douglass's absence, he expressed concern for potential loss of tools, fearing Douglass might abscond in the future.

Work Ethic

• Despite a breakdown in his agreement with Master Hugh, Douglass committed to working diligently to dispel any notions of intending to flee.

Support in New York

• Douglass received assistance from Mr. David Ruggles, an abolitionist who helped him and his fiancée Anna with financial support and accommodation.

Significance of Marriage

• The marriage between Douglass and Anna symbolized his status as a free man, further solidifying his identity.

Relocation to New Bedford

• Ruggles advised Douglass to move to New Bedford, Massachusetts, indicating it was a safer option with better job prospects.

Assistance in New Bedford

• Mr. Johnson provided support to Douglass and Anna in finding employment upon their arrival in New Bedford.

Changing His Name

• Douglass changed his name multiple times for simplicity and distinctiveness, ultimately adopting “Douglass” at the suggestion of Nathan Johnson, inspired by literature.

Emergence into Anti-Slavery Activism

• Douglass became recognized in the anti-slavery movement following his participation in a convention in Nantucket in 1841.

Reluctance to Speak

• Initially hesitating to publicly denounce slavery, Douglass felt intimidated by the prospect of addressing white audiences.

Sources of Inspiration

• Douglass derived his perspectives on human rights and emancipation from the Irish Catholic community.

This quiz covers key concepts from Chapter 11 of Frederick Douglass's autobiography. Explore influential moments of Douglass's escape and his observations on the conditions of colored people in the North. Test your knowledge with flashcards that highlight Douglass's journey and views.