History
**DAILY DOUBLE**
Describe the initial relationship between Frederick Douglass and 'mistress'. How does it change over time?
Answers may vary.
Sample: Initially, she is kind and begins to teach Douglass the alphabet, treating him with humanity. Over time, influenced by the institution of slavery, she becomes harsh and forbids his education, illustrating the corrupting power of slavery.
Commence
Definition: The act of beginning or starting something.
Identify the infinitive phrase in the sentence: "Douglass often spoke to his friends about his right to be free."
"to be free"
What strategies does Douglass use to learn to read, despite the opposition he faces?
Answers may vary.
Sample: Douglass befriends white boys in the neighborhood and exchanges bread for reading lessons. He also seizes every opportunity to practice reading when sent on errands.
Apprehension
Definition: Fear or dread of the future.
In the sentence "They tried to offer him comfort, but what more could they do?" what is the infinitive phrase and its function?
"to offer him comfort"
How does learning to read affect Douglass's view of his own condition as a slave?
Answers may vary.
Sample: Douglass describes literacy as both a blessing and a curse. It opens his eyes to the injustices of slavery, leading to a profound awareness of his condition but also to deep anguish because he sees no immediate escape.
Identify a conflict we see in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and identify which type of conflict is present.
Several answers:
Man vs. Man: Douglass vs. Slaveowners
Man vs. Himself: Frederick Douglass's personal battle for freedom/growth
Prudence
Definition: The wise handling of practical matters.
Find the infinitive phrase in the following: "Then Douglass found Sheridan’s book, which included many speeches for readers to study."
"to study"
What was Frederick Douglass's birth name and why did he change it?
His birth name was Frederick Bailey. He changed his name to lower his risk of being discovered.
What role do the neighborhood boys play in Douglass's education?
Answers may vary.
Sample: The neighborhood boys become informal teachers for Douglass, helping him improve his reading skills in exchange for bread, thereby playing a crucial role in his self-education.
Why does Douglass describe learning to read as both a blessing and a curse?
Answers may vary.
Sample answer: Douglass sees literacy as a double-edged sword: it enlightens him about the evils of slavery and his desire for freedom but also torments him with the realization of his bondage and the lack of immediate solutions.
Unabated
Definition: Continuing with full force without weakening.
What is the infinitive phrase in "The reasoning in these speeches was too powerful to ignore," and how does it function?
"to ignore"
What European country was Frederick eventually forced to flee to? What did he do there?
He fled to Ireland and England, where he kept advocating for freedom. He gave many speeches to packed houses and was extremely successful in gaining overseas support for American emancipation.
Discuss the significance of "The Columbian Orator" and its impact on Douglass.
Answers may vary.
Sample: "The Columbian Orator" provides Douglass with arguments against slavery and introduces him to ideas of freedom and human rights, fueling his desire for emancipation
What genre is Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass? Why is this particularly significant?
Autobiography
At the time, people thought slaves did not have the potential, let alone the right, to learn to read and write. Frederick's publishing of his own autobiography alone served as a physical testament to the outlandish falsity of these surrounding perceptions.
Denunciation
Definition: Public condemnation of something as wrong or evil.
Locate the infinitive phrase in "It spoke to Douglass’s heart and gave him the help he needed to form an argument against slavery." What role does it play?
"to form an argument against slavery"