Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Study Guide Questions Graded A+(100% Verified)

Where and when was Frederick Douglass born? What was his name at birth? What did he know about his parents? - - He was born in Talbot County as Frederick Bailey. His mother was a slave (Harriet Bailey) and his father was white. How old was Frederick Douglass when he wrote this narrative? - 27-28 Describe Frederick's relationship with his mother. Include the number of times they saw each other, what their visits were like, and Frederick's age when she died. - Douglass's mother had to walk 12 miles to his home. When they saw each other, there would be no talking, his mother would just lay with him and put him to sleep. What are Douglass's observations about the mulatto children--those who had a slave mother but a white father, who was usually the slave owner? - Observed that these slaves looked very different from the original African slaves and from white southerners. He thought their presence might do away with the reasoning that since God cursed Ham, then American slavery was right. Since so many of the slaves were of mixed blood, the reasoning that the descendants of Ham should be cursed would no longer apply. What are Douglass's observations about this class of mulatto slaves in relation to the south and the American idea of the correctness of slavery? - Douglass observed that these slaves looked very different from the original African slaves and from white southerners. He thought their presence might do away with the reasoning that since God cursed Ham, then American slavery was right. Since so many of the slaves were of mixed blood, the reasoning that the descendants of Ham should be cursed would no longer apply. Who was Douglass's first master? Also name the members of his family. Tell where they lived. - His first master was called Captain Anthony. He had two sons named Andrew and Richard, a daughter, Lucretia, and her husband, Thomas Auld. They all lived in a house on the plantation of Colonel Edward Lloyd. Anthony was Lloyd's clerk.Describe the slaves monthly allowance of food and yearly clothing. Describe their beds and bedding. - Each month the slaves receive eight pounds of pork or fish and one bushel of corn meal. They also got coarse linen shirts and linen shorts. What did Douglass say about the singing of the slaves? How did he feel about the songs? - It was a common belief that slaves sang because they were happy, but they were actually unhappy. Describe Colonel Lloyd's method for keeping slaves out of his garden. - Douglass's observation about the reasons the slaves usually gave only positive, complimentary comments about their masters was that the masters spied the slaves. If ever a slave was caught saying something negative, they could be sold. Summarize Douglass's observations about the reasons the slaves usually gave only positive, complimentary comments about their masters. - The masters had spies among the slaves, and if it was reported that a slave said negative things, the slave could be sold off. Slaves also thought of their own situations as better than other slaves.