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?
Sample Solution