Plot & Events
Douglass is separated from this family member at birth, a common practice in slavery.
His mother
She begins kindly and teaches Douglass the alphabet, then changes.
Sophia Auld
Douglass proves that this force, often forbidden to slaves, gives power and freedom.
Literacy/knowledge
Douglass was born on a plantation in this state.
Maryland
Bread Douglass trades for lessons represents this.
Knowledge/literacy
Who was rumored to be Douglass's father?
His slave master.
This man shows both kindness and harshness; he stops Douglass from learning to read.
Hugh Auld
Slavery harms both enslaved people and enslavers, which relates to this theme.
Dehumanization
Douglass spends time in this city, where he first learns to read.
Baltimore
Changing his name symbolizes this.
Self-identity or freedom
This event marks the turning point, after which Douglass is never whipped by Covey again.
Douglass’s fight with Covey
This man gives Douglass the root that would protect him from harm.
Sandy Jenkins
Douglass criticizes slaveholders who claim Christianity, illustrating this theme.
Religious hypocrisy
He worked at this place in Baltimore before eventually escaping.
The shipyard
The root Sandy gives him represents this.
Protection/superstition/hope
What major skill does Douglass secretly learn that becomes key to his freedom?
Reading/writing/literacy
These men are known for their cruelty and the purpose of forcing slaves to obey their slave masters.
"Slave breakers"
Douglass continually seeks freedom despite setbacks, showing this trait.
Perseverance/hope
Douglass is sent here to be broken by a harsh slave owner.
Covey’s farm at St. Michael’s
The ships on the Chesapeake Bay represent this longing.
Freedom/escape
Douglass is eventually allowed to hire out his labor, but must do this with most of his earnings.
Turn the money over to Hugh Auld
This famous abolitionist later worked with Douglass. He also wrote the Preface of the book.
William Lloyd Garrison
The narrative urges readers toward change, connected to this theme.
Resistance/abolition/activism
Douglass and his wife, Anna, moved from New York to this city after they got married.
New Bedford
The whip represents this force used to control enslaved people.
Power/oppression/terror/intimidation