Narrative of the Life of Narrative of the Life of

Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass

Cathy, Beryl, Kellie and MindyCathy, Beryl, Kellie and Mindy

Cecilia H. C. Liu revisedAmerican Literature I 03/01/2005

Basic BackgroundBasic Background

• Birth of Douglass - February 1818 Birth of Douglass - February 1818

• Place - Holmes Hill Farm, near the town of Place - Holmes Hill Farm, near the town of Easton on Maryland's Eastern ShoreEaston on Maryland's Eastern Shore– Aaron Anthony = managed the plantations of Aaron Anthony = managed the plantations of

Edward Lloyd V, one of the wealthiest men in Edward Lloyd V, one of the wealthiest men in MarylandMaryland

• Mother - Harriet Bailey, who worked in the Mother - Harriet Bailey, who worked in the cornfields surrounding Holmes Hillcornfields surrounding Holmes Hill

• Father – A White man , who was rumored Father – A White man , who was rumored to be Aaron Anthonyto be Aaron Anthony

Early YearsEarly Years

• Lived with Betsey BaileyLived with Betsey Bailey– lived in a cabin within a short distance lived in a cabin within a short distance

from Holmes Hill Farm.from Holmes Hill Farm.– Her job was to look after Harriet's Her job was to look after Harriet's

children until they were old enough to children until they were old enough to work work

• Age 6 – Brought to Lloyd Plantation Age 6 – Brought to Lloyd Plantation

• His siblings - Perry, Sara and Eliza His siblings - Perry, Sara and Eliza

Early YearsEarly Years 22• When Douglass was young, he used to When Douglass was young, he used to

give bread to poor local boys in give bread to poor local boys in exchange for reading lessons. exchange for reading lessons.

• When he was 12 years old, he had When he was 12 years old, he had encountered a book called encountered a book called The The Columbian Orator, Columbian Orator, which contains a which contains a philosophical dialogue between a philosophical dialogue between a master and a slave, which was the first master and a slave, which was the first time he heard the word “time he heard the word “abolitionist,”abolitionist,” which means anti-slaverywhich means anti-slavery

arrived at arrived at Thomas Auld Thomas Auld ’s place’s place

FreedomFreedom

• September 3, 1838 – Left Baltimore September 3, 1838 – Left Baltimore and went to Wilmington, Delawareand went to Wilmington, Delaware

• September 4, 1838 - arrived in New September 4, 1838 - arrived in New York. York.

• Southern slave catchers – Looked for Southern slave catchers – Looked for fugitives in boarding houses that fugitives in boarding houses that accepted Blacks accepted Blacks

Life in New York CityLife in New York City

• Douglass met David Ruggles, who was an Douglass met David Ruggles, who was an officer in the New York Vigilance Committofficer in the New York Vigilance Committeeee– He was the city's link in the underground railrHe was the city's link in the underground railr

oad = a network of people who harbored runoad = a network of people who harbored runaway slaves and helped transport them to safaway slaves and helped transport them to safe areas in the United States and Canadae areas in the United States and Canada

• September 15, 1838 – Douglass married ASeptember 15, 1838 – Douglass married Anna Murray, and then moved to Port of Nnna Murray, and then moved to Port of New Bedford, Massachusetts ew Bedford, Massachusetts

Life in New BedfordLife in New Bedford• Douglass went to work for Nathan Johnson, Douglass went to work for Nathan Johnson,

who was from a well-to-do black familywho was from a well-to-do black family• Changed Bailey to Douglass, which the Changed Bailey to Douglass, which the

name came from name came from The Lady of the LakeThe Lady of the Lake, a , a novel by Scottish author Sir Walter Scott novel by Scottish author Sir Walter Scott

• Worked as a common laborer Worked as a common laborer – sawed wood, shoveled coal, dug cellars, and sawed wood, shoveled coal, dug cellars, and

loaded and unloaded ships loaded and unloaded ships

• 1833 - The American Anti-Slavery Society 1833 - The American Anti-Slavery Society – a constant battle to reduce racial prejudice in a constant battle to reduce racial prejudice in

the North the North

Life as an AbolitionistLife as an Abolitionist

• August 1841 (23yrs old) – met William Lloyd August 1841 (23yrs old) – met William Lloyd Garrison at an abolitionist meetingGarrison at an abolitionist meeting– Editor of Editor of Liberator & Liberator & outspoken leader of the outspoken leader of the

American Anti-Slavery SocietyAmerican Anti-Slavery Society

• "The paper became my meat and drink, my "The paper became my meat and drink, my soul was set all on fire." soul was set all on fire."

• Hired to be an agent for the society Hired to be an agent for the society (1841~1845)(1841~1845) – a traveling lecturer on tours of the northern statesa traveling lecturer on tours of the northern states– Purpose - to talk about his life and to sell Purpose - to talk about his life and to sell

subscriptions to the subscriptions to the LiberatorLiberator and another and another newspaper, the newspaper, the Anti-Slavery StandardAnti-Slavery Standard. .

Continued…Continued…• 10 years - associated with the Garrisonian 10 years - associated with the Garrisonian

school of the antislavery movementschool of the antislavery movement• "He has wit, arguments, sarcasm, pathos - "He has wit, arguments, sarcasm, pathos -

all that first rate men show in their master all that first rate men show in their master effort" (effort" (Herald of FreedomHerald of Freedom, Mass.), Mass.)

• 1844 – Doubts1844 – Doubts– "How a man, only six years out of bondage, and "How a man, only six years out of bondage, and

who had never gone to school could speak with who had never gone to school could speak with such eloquence - with such precision of such eloquence - with such precision of language and power of thought - they were language and power of thought - they were utterly at a loss to devise”utterly at a loss to devise”

Published WorkPublished Work• May 1845 - 5,000 copies of the May 1845 - 5,000 copies of the Narrative Narrative

of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American SlaveAmerican Slave was published was published – The book had become a best-seller: a story of The book had become a best-seller: a story of

the triumph of dignity, courage, and self-the triumph of dignity, courage, and self-reliance over the evils of the brutal, degrading reliance over the evils of the brutal, degrading slave system. slave system.

– It is a sermon on how slavery corrupts the It is a sermon on how slavery corrupts the human spirit and robs both master and slave of human spirit and robs both master and slave of their freedom. their freedom.

– The book was enjoyed by the widespread The book was enjoyed by the widespread popularity in the North, and even the editions popularity in the North, and even the editions in Europe also sold very well in Europe also sold very well

ProblemProblem• Federal laws gave Thomas Auld the right to Federal laws gave Thomas Auld the right to

seize the property of Douglass—the fugitive seize the property of Douglass—the fugitive slave Frederick Baileyslave Frederick Bailey

• Summer of 1845Summer of 1845—decided to go to England—decided to go to England– By 1838 all slaves within the British Empire had By 1838 all slaves within the British Empire had

been given a gradual emancipation and werebeen given a gradual emancipation and were

• December 5, 1846December 5, 1846—two English friends —two English friends raised enough money to buy back the raised enough money to buy back the freedom of Frederick Douglass.freedom of Frederick Douglass.– Amount = $710.96Amount = $710.96– Hugh Auld signed the papers that declared the Hugh Auld signed the papers that declared the

28 year old Douglass a free man. 28 year old Douglass a free man.

Life in EnglandLife in England

•Traveled for nearly two years Traveled for nearly two years throughout the British Isles throughout the British Isles

•Encountered little racial Encountered little racial prejudice among the British prejudice among the British

•Spring of 1847Spring of 1847 – Returned to – Returned to AmericaAmerica

Life in RochesterLife in Rochester• Fall of 1847Fall of 1847 – Douglass decided to move to – Douglass decided to move to

Rochester, New York, which has a reputation for Rochester, New York, which has a reputation for being pro-abolitionist being pro-abolitionist

• December 3, 1847December 3, 1847 - his four page weekly - his four page weekly newspaper, newspaper, TheThe North StarNorth Star, came off the presses , came off the presses – Motto: "Right is of no sex - Truth is of no color - God is Motto: "Right is of no sex - Truth is of no color - God is

the Father of us all, and we are all Brethren."the Father of us all, and we are all Brethren."

• After 1851After 1851 – He published – He published Frederick Douglass' Frederick Douglass' Weekly and Monthly,Weekly and Monthly, which which symbolized the symbolized the potential for blacks to achieve whatever goals potential for blacks to achieve whatever goals they set. The paper provided a forum for black they set. The paper provided a forum for black writers and highlighted the success achieved by writers and highlighted the success achieved by prominent black figures in American societyprominent black figures in American society

After the Civil WarAfter the Civil War

• 1860s and beyond1860s and beyond—Douglass —Douglass continued to campaign for the right continued to campaign for the right of blacks to vote and receive equal of blacks to vote and receive equal treatment in public placestreatment in public places

• 1870s and 1880s1870s and 1880s—Douglass served —Douglass served in government positions under in government positions under several administrations several administrations

• 1895—1895—died of a heart attack died of a heart attack

His WorksHis Works• 18451845 – – Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglaNarrative of the Life of Frederick Dougla

ss, an American Slave, Written by Himselfss, an American Slave, Written by Himself• 18551855 – Revised the – Revised the NarrativeNarrative My Bondage aMy Bondage a

nd My Freedomnd My Freedom• 1881 and 18921881 and 1892 – – The Life and Times of FredericThe Life and Times of Frederic

k Douglassk Douglass• Chronology of Frederick DouglassChronology of Frederick Douglass

• Brief Summary of Brief Summary of Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an ANarrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himselfmerican Slave, Written by Himself

SlaverySlavery

• 1662 1662 Virginia lawVirginia law

• “ “Africans would remain servants for life.”Africans would remain servants for life.”

• 16671667

• ““Baptism doth not alter the condition of Baptism doth not alter the condition of the person as to his bondage or freedom.the person as to his bondage or freedom. ” ”

• 17401740 Slavery system fully developed Slavery system fully developed

• Virginia lawVirginia law “ “chattel personal in the chattel personal in the hands of their owners and possessors for hands of their owners and possessors for all intents, construction, and purpose all intents, construction, and purpose whatsoever.whatsoever.””

The Life of the SlavesThe Life of the Slaves Being cut away from family as well as Being cut away from family as well as

tribal linkstribal links– Husbands were separated from wives, and cHusbands were separated from wives, and c

hildren were separated from mothers.hildren were separated from mothers.• ““My mother and I were separated when I was buMy mother and I were separated when I was bu

t an infant.” (970 B 2040) t an infant.” (970 B 2040) Harsh overseer and brutality was comHarsh overseer and brutality was com

monmon– ““He always rest armed with a cowskin [ . . . ] He always rest armed with a cowskin [ . . . ]

I wish I could commit to paper the feelings wI wish I could commit to paper the feelings with which I behold it.” (972 B 2041-42)ith which I behold it.” (972 B 2041-42)

The Life of the Slaves 2The Life of the Slaves 2The unfair treatmentThe unfair treatment

- Rape is not considered to be a Rape is not considered to be a crimecrime..

•““Before he commenced whipping Aunt Before he commenced whipping Aunt Hester, [ . . . ] red blood came dripping on Hester, [ . . . ] red blood came dripping on the floor.” (972 B 2053) the floor.” (972 B 2053)

- Blacks can’t present evidence in courts.Blacks can’t present evidence in courts.- To teach a black to read/write is illegal.To teach a black to read/write is illegal.

•““Slavery soon proved [ . . . ] that educators Slavery soon proved [ . . . ] that educators and slavery were incompatible with each and slavery were incompatible with each other. (975 B 2055)other. (975 B 2055)

Summary I.VI.VII.IX.XSummary I.VI.VII.IX.X

12

43

6

5

87

Captain Anthony

Sophia Auld &

Hugh Auld

Thomas Auld

Edward Covey

William Freeland

William Gardner

Walter Price

5

Captain AnthonyCaptain Anthony• Douglass was soon separated from his Douglass was soon separated from his

mother soon after he has been born mother soon after he has been born – ““My mother and [ . . . ] very early age.” (970 My mother and [ . . . ] very early age.” (970

B2040)B2040)

• Father, a white man, whom was said to be Father, a white man, whom was said to be Anthony—his masterAnthony—his master– ““My father was a white man [ . . . ] the evitable My father was a white man [ . . . ] the evitable

result. (970 B2040)result. (970 B2040)

• The Captain frequently whipped Douglass’s The Captain frequently whipped Douglass’s Aunt Hester for his particular sexual interestAunt Hester for his particular sexual interest – ““He then said [ . . . ] after the bloody transaction He then said [ . . . ] after the bloody transaction

was over. (972 B 2042)was over. (972 B 2042)

• Starts his poor life of slaveryStarts his poor life of slavery

Sophia Auld & Hugh AuldSophia Auld & Hugh Auld • Sophia:Sophia:

– A kind woman, who taught Douglass the alphabet A kind woman, who taught Douglass the alphabet & words & words • ““My new mistress [ . . . ] her voice of tranquil.” (973 My new mistress [ . . . ] her voice of tranquil.” (973

B2053-54)B2053-54)

– However, later on she turned her ways towards However, later on she turned her ways towards cruelty, which was considered to be a disease of cruelty, which was considered to be a disease of slaveholding slaveholding • ““But, alas! [ . . . ] gave place to that of a demon.” (973 But, alas! [ . . . ] gave place to that of a demon.” (973

B2054)B2054)

• Hugh Auld:Hugh Auld:– When found out what Sophia did, he ordered her When found out what Sophia did, he ordered her

stop immediately, because education ruins slaves. stop immediately, because education ruins slaves. • ““If you give nigger an inch, he will take an ell.” (973 If you give nigger an inch, he will take an ell.” (973

B2054)B2054)

Thomas AuldThomas Auld• A stingy and cruel master, who gives A stingy and cruel master, who gives

slaves a difficult time, for he does not slaves a difficult time, for he does not give them enough foodgive them enough food– ““I have now reached [ . . . ] though there are I have now reached [ . . . ] though there are

exceptions.” (978-79 B2062)exceptions.” (978-79 B2062)• After he has attended a Methodist After he has attended a Methodist

camp meetingcamp meetingAuld became more Auld became more religious and even more cruelreligious and even more cruel– ““In August, 1832, [ . . . ] been much worse after In August, 1832, [ . . . ] been much worse after

his conversions than before.” (980 B2061)his conversions than before.” (980 B2061)• Rented Douglass to Rented Douglass to Edward Covey, Edward Covey, a a

poor man with reputation for poor man with reputation for successfully taming problematical successfully taming problematical slaves slaves – ““He resolved to put me out [ . . . ] without any He resolved to put me out [ . . . ] without any

other comprehension.” (981 B 2065)other comprehension.” (981 B 2065)

Edward CoveyEdward Covey• First 6 months was the hardest time of First 6 months was the hardest time of

DouglassDouglass – ““I was now [ . . . ] midnight often caught us in the I was now [ . . . ] midnight often caught us in the

fields binding blades” (982-83 B2065-66)fields binding blades” (982-83 B2065-66)

• Runaway – Sandy’s magical rootRunaway – Sandy’s magical root– ““To please him, [ . . . ] I at first had taken it to be.” To please him, [ . . . ] I at first had taken it to be.”

(987-88 B2071)(987-88 B2071)

• Fights with Edward Covey—Covey never Fights with Edward Covey—Covey never touches Douglass againtouches Douglass again– ““Mr. Covey seemed now to think he had me, Mr. Covey seemed now to think he had me,

[ . . . ] for you will come off worse than you did [ . . . ] for you will come off worse than you did before.” (988 B 2071-72)before.” (988 B 2071-72)

• Move to William FreelandMove to William Freeland

William Freeland William Freeland

• Worked slaves hard but fairWorked slaves hard but fair– ““I soon found Mr. Freeland [ . . . ] and some respect foI soon found Mr. Freeland [ . . . ] and some respect fo

r humanity.” (990 B2074)r humanity.” (990 B2074)• Holds a Sabbath school in the cabinHolds a Sabbath school in the cabin

– ““I held my Sabbath school [ . . . ] through my agency.I held my Sabbath school [ . . . ] through my agency.” (992-93 B2076)” (992-93 B2076)

• This was the period when Douglass desired to This was the period when Douglass desired to live on the “Free Land”live on the “Free Land”– “”“”At the close of the year, [ . . . ] I began to live uponAt the close of the year, [ . . . ] I began to live upon

freelandfreeland as well as with Freeland.” (993 B2076) as well as with Freeland.” (993 B2076)• Escapes party Escapes party jailjailThomas AuldThomas AuldHugh AulHugh Aul

ddWilliam GardnerWilliam Gardner

William Gardner William Gardner Walter Price Walter Price

• Severe physical intimidation from Severe physical intimidation from white apprenticeswhite apprentices

• Four white apprentices attack Four white apprentices attack DouglassDouglassnearly destroyed his left nearly destroyed his left eyeeye

• Later on, he returned back to Hugh Later on, he returned back to Hugh AuldAuldstayed in Hugh’s shipyardstayed in Hugh’s shipyard worked under Walter Price, had the worked under Walter Price, had the highest possible wage, but had to turn highest possible wage, but had to turn back the wages to Hugh Auldback the wages to Hugh Auld– ““In a few weeks, [ . . . ] Mr. Gardener’s In a few weeks, [ . . . ] Mr. Gardener’s

shipyard.” (998-99) B2081-82)shipyard.” (998-99) B2081-82)

ThemeThemeA. Ignorance as a A. Ignorance as a

Tool of SlaveryTool of Slavery

• 1. white slaveholder 1. white slaveholder control their slaves by control their slaves by keeping them ignorant. keeping them ignorant.

• 2. many people believe 2. many people believe that slavery is a natural that slavery is a natural state of being. state of being. – ““I lived in Master Hugh’s [ . I lived in Master Hugh’s [ .

. . ] I were a brute.” (975 B . . ] I were a brute.” (975 B 2055)2055)

ThemeTheme

B. Knowledge as the Path to B. Knowledge as the Path to FreedomFreedom

– Knowledge helps slaves to articulate the Knowledge helps slaves to articulate the injustice of slavery to themselves and injustice of slavery to themselves and others.others.

– Knowledge helps slaves to recognize Knowledge helps slaves to recognize themselves as men rather than slaves. themselves as men rather than slaves. • ““Slavery soon proved [ . . . ] that education Slavery soon proved [ . . . ] that education

and slavery were incompatible with each and slavery were incompatible with each other.” (975 B 2055) other.” (975 B 2055)

ThemeThemeC. Slavery’s Damaging Effect C. Slavery’s Damaging Effect

on Slaveholderson Slaveholders• The corrupt and irresponsible The corrupt and irresponsible

power that slave owners enjoy power that slave owners enjoy over their slaves has a over their slaves has a detrimental effect on the slave detrimental effect on the slave owners’ own moral health.owners’ own moral health.– ““In August, 1832, my master In August, 1832, my master

attended a Methodist [ . . . ] it attended a Methodist [ . . . ] it made him cruel in hateful in all made him cruel in hateful in all his ways.” (980 B 2063-64)his ways.” (980 B 2063-64)

– ““Slavery soon proved its ability Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly to divest her of these heavenly qualities [ . . . ] She finally qualities [ . . . ] She finally became even more violent in her became even more violent in her opposition than her husband opposition than her husband himself.” (975 B2056)himself.” (975 B2056)

SymbolSymbol

A. A. White-Sailed ShipsWhite-Sailed Ships

•AngelsAngels– ““Our house [ . . . ] multitude of ships.” Our house [ . . . ] multitude of ships.”

(984-85 B 2068)(984-85 B 2068)

•FreedomFreedom – The ships appear almost a spiritual The ships appear almost a spiritual

and physical low point of his first and physical low point of his first months with Covey, as if they are a months with Covey, as if they are a vision to Douglass as a sign of his vision to Douglass as a sign of his demoralized state. demoralized state.

Symbol 2Symbol 2B. B. Sandy’s rootSandy’s root• A symbol of a traditional African A symbol of a traditional African

Approach to religion and belief Approach to religion and belief – ““That night I fell in love with [ . . . ] I had That night I fell in love with [ . . . ] I had

first taken it to be.” (987-88 B 2071)first taken it to be.” (987-88 B 2071)

C. C. The Columbian OratorThe Columbian Orator• A symbol not only of human rights, but A symbol not only of human rights, but

also of the power of eloquence and also of the power of eloquence and articulation articulation – ““I was now about 12 years old [ . . . ] died I was now about 12 years old [ . . . ] died

away for want of utterance.” (976 B 2057)away for want of utterance.” (976 B 2057)

ConclusionConclusion

• Douglass progresses from uneducated, Douglass progresses from uneducated, oppressed slave to worldly and oppressed slave to worldly and articulated political commentator. articulated political commentator.

• However, the road he took to freedom However, the road he took to freedom was not easy. Many people thought that was not easy. Many people thought that such a powerful young man could have such a powerful young man could have been a slave.been a slave.

• So Douglass wrote the book, So Douglass wrote the book, Narrative of Narrative of Life of Frederick Douglass, Life of Frederick Douglass, and this and this persistence of him took him to the final persistence of him took him to the final success to the land of freedom, where he success to the land of freedom, where he could be a real man instead of a slave.could be a real man instead of a slave.

ReferencesReferences

• ““Slavery in America” 2 Jan., 2005 <http://wwSlavery in America” 2 Jan., 2005 <http://www.simplcom.ca/lnq/mlk3/blackslavery.html>. w.simplcom.ca/lnq/mlk3/blackslavery.html>.

• ““Theme, Motif, and Symbols” Theme, Motif, and Symbols” spraknotetsspraknotets 2 J 2 Jan 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/nan 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/>.arrative/>.

• Frederick Douglass “Abolitionist/Editor”Frederick Douglass “Abolitionist/Editor”– <http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/dou<http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/dou

glass/home.html#contents>.glass/home.html#contents>.• Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassNarrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

– <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/>.<http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/>.

ReferencesReferences

• The Norton Anthology American Literature (Page 967~96The Norton Anthology American Literature (Page 967~969)9)

• ““Plot Overview” Plot Overview” SparknotesSparknotes 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www. 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/summary.html>sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/summary.html>

• ““Chapters I–II” Chapters I–II” SparknotesSparknotes 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.s 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section2.rhtml>parknotes.com/lit/narrative/section2.rhtml>

• ““Chapters V–VI” Chapters V–VI” SparknotesSparknotes 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www. 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section4.rhtml>sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section4.rhtml>

• ““Chapters VII–VIII” Chapters VII–VIII” SparknotesSparknotes 2 Jan. 2005 <http://ww 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section5.rhtml>w.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section5.rhtml>

• ““Chapters IX–X” Chapters IX–X” SparknotesSparknotes 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www. 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section6.rhtml>sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section6.rhtml>

• ““Chapter X (continued)” Chapter X (continued)” SparknotesSparknotes 2 Jan. 2005 <http: 2 Jan. 2005 <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section7.rhtml>//www.sparknotes.com/lit/narrative/section7.rhtml>