The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass an American Slave

Fredrick Douglass

Journal-5 Minutes

• Can you set yourself free?– How do you define self determination?– Without mentioning any names, contrast two

people you know of – one who has self determination and one who does not. Would you attribute the differences between them more to the circumstances or to attitude?

About the Author

• He endured 21 years of slavery before he escaped to freedom in the North, where he became an outspoken and influential abolitionist.

• He made his home a stop on the underground railroad

• He was an early defender of women's rights• He founded an antislavery newspaper, North

Star

Words to Know

• Style – is a writers distinctive way of expressing an idea

• Tone is conveyed by the authors choice of words

READ Page 560

Reading Checks

• On Page 560: –Explain what Douglass means by “this

affair” in line 6. What is surprising about his word choice?

Reading Check

• On page 563:–Reread lines 31-43. What is the effect of

Douglass’s choice to use little imagery or figurative language in his narration? –Reread lines 46-52. What does Douglass use

to inform his readers about the working conditions of slaves?

Reading Checks

• On Page 564–Reread lines 78-88. Identify examples of

metaphor, repetition, and parallelism. What tone is created by this use of language?

Reading Check

• On Page 569.–Reread lines 243-253. How might this

description have helped Douglass achieve his purpose?

Summary

• In this excerpt from his slave narrative, Fredrick Douglass describes a turning point in his life. When he is a teenager, his owner, Master Thomas, hires him out for a year to Mr. Covey to work as a field hand. Covey beats him mercilessly, but when Douglass turns to Master Thomas for protection, his owner orders him back to serve out his year. Determined never to take another beating, Douglass fights Covey, restoring his own self respect and determination to be free.

Image Analysis

• Fold your sheet into 6 equal squares. • Label as follows:

What do you see (describe)? What do you smell?

How does the picture make you feel?

What do you hear?

What would you title the picture/painting?

Your opinion about the picture/painting?

After Reading

• On Page 570 Complete the following:– 1-3, 8 and 9

QUIZCompete the quiz given to you at the beginning of

class and turn it in before the bell rings.