Show:
Characters
Narrative Events
All Things English
Historical Context
Quotables
100
A slave woman, whom Douglass describes as a woman of "noble form, and of graceful proportions, having very few equals," who suffers whippings at the hand of the jealous Captain Anthony.
Who is Aunt Hester?
100
The state in which Douglass was born?
What is Maryland?
100

This language uses exact, vivid words to help create a strong mental picture for the reader. 

What is precise language?

100

This person meets Frederick Douglass at an abolition convention in Nantucket and hires him for the abolitionist cause.

Who is William Lloyd Garrison?

100
The lesson learned by Douglass when he states, "Whilst I was saddened by the thought of losing the aid of my kind mistress, I was gladdened by the invaluable instruction which, by the merest accident, I had gained from my master."
What is that reading and writing would help him find freedom?
200
The mistress who first teaches Douglass how to read and write; her disposition towards slaves turns from sympathetic to cruel.
Who is Sophia Auld?
200

Slaves would sing to represent this emotion

What is sorrow?
200

This point of view is when the narrator in the story refers to himself/herself. 

What is first-person?

200

This is Douglass's purpose for writing the narrative.

What is to help the abolitionist cause by educating people about the horrors of slavery?

200
Douglass states the following in relation to the treatment of this man in this portion of his narrative: "My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read departed, the cheerful spark that lingered about my eye died; the dark night of slavery closed in upon me; and behold a man transformed into a brute!"
Who is Mr. Covey?
300
This woman becomes engaged to Douglass shortly before his escape.
Who is Anna Murray?
300
Douglass credits these people for helping him learn to read and write.
Who are the white street boys in Baltimore?
300

This language uses the fewest words possible to convey an idea clearly

What is concise language?

300
Most slaves maintained this double-standard relationship with their owners.
What is both master and father?
300

Douglass describes this overseer in the narrative: "Though a young man, he indulged in no jokes, said no funny words...When he whipped, he seemed to do so from a sense of duty, and feared no consequences."

Who is Mr. Gore?

400

Douglass met this person only a handful of times in his life.

Who is Douglass's mother (Harriet Bailey)?

400
Frederick Douglass learned about abolitionism from reading this book.
What is The Columbian Orator?
400

This type of third-point of view is when the narrator can only tell you what can be seen or heard. The narrator does not know anyone's thoughts or feelings

What is objective?
400

This was provided to slaves in a monthly allowance. 

What is pork, fish, and corn meal? 

400

Douglass gave this person, "the privilege of choosing me a name, but told him he must not take from me the name of "Frederick." I must hold onto that to preserve my identity."

Who is Mr. Nathan Johnson?
500
This person is Douglass's first master and most likely his father.
Who is Captain Anthony?
500
Demby, a fellow slave of Douglass's, suffers this terrible fate at the hands of whom?
Who is Mr. Gore?
500

This type of point of view is when the narrator puts the reader directly into the story. 

What is second-person?

500
Birthdays and familial relations were typically unknown by these people.
Who were slaves?
500

"Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence" relates to this person.

Who is Douglass's mother (Harriet Bailey)?