Essay

HIST1301
Fall 2019
Essay: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Due Date: January 3, 2020

Using Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, you will need to write an essay of at least 750 words answering the following questions using specific evidence from the book to support your answers fully.
1) How does Douglass describe the institution of slavery? What sorts of conditions did he recount that the slaves faced? What type of food and clothing did he say that they received? Why does Douglass think that northerners believe that slaves were happy? Why does he say that this belief is false?
2) How does Douglass describe the differences between city slaves versus slaves who worked on farms/ plantations? Which one did he believe had an easier time? Why did he believe this?
3) How did Douglass learning how to read and write change his perspective about his life and the larger institution of slavery? How was he able to acquire these skills during a time when teaching a slave to read or write was illegal? Did he think of these skills as a positive or negative thing?
4) How does Douglass describe Mr. Covey? What was Covey known for doing? How were Covey’s interactions with Douglass different than what either man was used to? How does the fight between Douglass and Covey change Douglass’ life?
5) How does Douglass regard the role of religion in regards to slavery? How did consider religious slaveholders to act? How does this shape his views on religion more broadly?
6) How was Douglass able to acquire his freedom? How did he find conditions living as a free black man in America?