Together with members of your book group, you’ll be reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave over the next several weeks. Although you're not required to take notes while you read, it would be wise to keep track of important events and characters for your own clarification. You are, however, expected to participate regularly and thoughtfully in an online discussion of FOUR essential questions.
Here's how it works:
Divide your book into three roughly equal sections. You need to have read and blogged about these sections by the due dates below.
There are two kinds of posts in this discussion: comments and responses.
- Comments = direct answers to the essential questions
- Post at least SIX comments altogether: at least TWO for each section of your book.
- You must comment on all of the essential questions over the course of your reading.
- One of your nine comments can be a "free response" post.
- Responses = direct responses to another reader’s comment or response
- Post at at least NINE responses altogether: at least THREE for each section of your book.
- Post your first set of comments and three responses by Monday, March 31 (Blue), & Tuesday, April 1 (Red).
- Post your second set of comments and responses by Monday, April 7 (Red), and Tuesday, April 8 (Blue).
- Post your third set of comments and responses by Monday, April 14 (Blue), and Tuesday, April 15 (Red).
Essential Questions:
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American culture? Be specific! (Page references are helpful.)
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) illuminate aspects of African-American history?
- How does the main character in the book experience a coming-of-age “hero journey”? Be specific by describing particular stages in this journey.
- How does the story (setting, characters, plot, etc.) connect to contemporary African-American culture (i.e., current events, issues, films, songs, etc.)?
Assessment:
To earn maximum credit, post thoughtful responses that are at least a short paragraph in length—and carefully proofread! Do not misspell characters' or authors’ names! Also, be sure to include specific references to the text (either details or short quotations). Page numbers, too, are always helpful.
In order to start posting, click on the "comments" link in the box below.
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ReplyDeleteThe story illuminates aspects of African-American history in that it gives many examples of how ostracized and how mistreated slaves were. For example,Frederick Douglass describes an instance in which a slave was seen walking and the owner questions him about how his owner treats him. When the slave responded negatively, he was whipped severely and shipped off to Georgia, which was completely undesirable. Also, Frederick Douglass also tells about the slaves wandering through the woods and singing songs, which basically showed how deflated and depressed they felt. Basically, this shows that even in their best moments, the slaves were still incredibly sad and discontent.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the slaves were mistreated. Colonel Lloyd had so many slaves that he did not no all of them, and some of the slaves didn't know him. It also describes how the masters sent in "spies" to find out what slaves were really thinking and doing. This basically says that the slaves can't be honest without the fear of being whipped.
DeleteI think that anyone who DOESN'T think slaves were mistreated has some severe misinformation. 'Mistreatment' might actually be an understatement for the atrocities endured by slaves. An example would be when Demby refused to leave the creek and Mr. Gore killed him with a musket, or when Mrs. Hicks killed that young girl by smashing her breastbone with a stick.
DeleteYeah, it both astounded and saddened me when I read the part about Colonel Lloyd having so many slaves that he was unable to even recognize them all. It's pretty hard to imagine that kind of thing occurring today.
DeleteThe story illuminates aspects of African-American culture by showing what the slaves may have done in their rather insignificant free time. For example, Frederick Douglass describes that the slaves frequently sung, which was and is, to this day, still part of African-American culture. Also, the setting of this story illuminates aspects of African-American culture because a rather large number of African-Americans were slaves, so many had similar experiences, which means they could relate with one another.
ReplyDeleteThe Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas illuminates on the African American culture by telling what the slaves did in their free time. During the slaves free time most of them sang, slept, and shared stories. Most of the Southern African American culture during this time was being a slave and working as one. This was sadly what slaves spent most of their time doing, working. Part of their culture was working in the fields, some worked as nannies, and others worked in the kitchen. In this culture, that was sadly forced on them, the slaves had minimal free time. Frederick Douglas explains that when he was a boy he was isolated from working until he "came of age." He, and other children, were watched by older slaves that no longer had the capability to work. Most children had never seen another slave be beat or whipped. Douglas also speaks that the song that were sung were about the plantation or how the slaves felt. He says, at this time, he did not understand the meaning of these songs. While singing or by them selves, slaves would pray to God for help. Even, when the slaves were thought to be happy, they were really singing sad turns of their misfortunes. Most every slave had these same experiences.
ReplyDeleteI agree that slaves spent most of their time working, as sad as it is. Slaves did have minimal free time and mostly slept because of the exhaustion of the forced work.
DeleteI agree that the singing was is an illumination to African American culture because singing and music is still a big part of African American culture today.
DeleteThrough the first third of the book, Frederick Douglas experiences a "coming of age" moment when he is no longer isolated from the horror the slaves went through in the fields. When he was old enough to begin working he saw a women being whipped for the first time. He knew how the slaves would be ostracized from other slaves on other plantations. Frederick Douglass would start this book an isolated boy from the horror of slavery, and then up through the first third start to see what slavery really meant. Douglass, thorough growing up, show the smarts he has received when asked if his slave owner is nice. So, throughout the first third of this book I have seen that Mr. Douglass has come of age, in the sense of understanding the horror of slavery and having to work as one.
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DeleteI agree Frederick Douglas has grown up, but coming of age I feel is too soon to tell. Sure he has grown up from the terrified boy who watched a women get whipped, to a man who has understood what slavery mean, but I feel that the real coming of age will come later in the book. But I do agree that he is no longer is isolated in the fear that slaves encounter in the fields.
DeleteDouglass really has grown up I have noticed also; Seeing that happen in person after very recently being let out of isolation and into the harsh world of slavery it would make a very big impact on your way of life. It seemed to have scared him into acting on others behalf trying to ask for help an showing what is happening in this book .
DeleteThe story illuminates African-American history in the way masters and overseers mistreat slaves. In the story, Frederick Douglas explains how he witnessed the beating of his Aunt and other slaves in his master's plantation. He explains that the cruel overseer continues to beat the unlucky slave even when they are bleeding relentlessly, and covered in lashings. In addition, the story illuminates the songs that the slaves sing when they are unhappy, which is obviously often, to take their minds of their distress. He explains that the meaning is not in the words of the songs, but the tone that they use when singing it. For example, on page 25, "They would sometimes sing the most pathetic sentiment in the most rapturous tone, and the most rapturous sentiment in the most pathetic tone." Lastly, it explains how at a young age a slave baby is removed from his mother, and giving to an elderly women slave, who is too old to do field work. But Frederick Douglas's mother walked all the way from her plantation to her son's platation just to see him. The history of African-American treatment as slaves were described in this section of reading.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the history presented in this book is not of a happy suit, but more of the struggles and tribulations the slaves went through. On page twenty-four Mr. Douglass talks about Mr. Severe the slave enforcer and how he saw him whip an innocent women. This is part of the slaves history, having to deal with enforcers, owners, and other "supreme" white plantation leaders. The history of slaves in this time period is mostly being born on a plantation, living with an elderly women before "coming of age" to work in the fields, and working as a slave for sometimes the rest of your life, or until you are freed.
DeleteI also share the opinion that the master's cruel treatment of the slaves is a brutal view into a sad chapter of African-American history. Frederick Douglass's experiences, such as watching his aunt get whipped, are an eye-opener about how horrible slavery was.
DeleteThe narrative illuminates African-American culture in the songs that they sing. The songs are not only part of their history, but also their culture. They songs that the slaves sing when working is not about the words within the song, but the tones in their hearts. As said on page 25, "They would sometimes sing the most pathetic sentiment in the most rapturous tone, and the most rapturous sentiment in the most pathetic tone." I feel as though these songs are engraved in the African-American culture, and I say this because Frederick Douglas says that he still remembers the songs, and the sadness that comes with them.
ReplyDeleteThis narrative shows how mistreated and unprivileged slaves were. Having many responsibility's some normal jobs and chores others unspeakable acts forced on those with no chance to fight back. But at this time it shows what mainly took over the african american culture; working under cruel standards but still making the most of their situation. Frederick Douglass describes how people would sing in the fields that I believe where prays to god for salvation. Frederick Douglass explains how he was isolated from the harsh world outside of the elder slaves incapable of labor watching over them.
ReplyDeleteThe singing was mostly to let out the slaves emotions as Fredrick Douglass put it in chapter 2 page 26. The heart is unhappy and the only way to relieved the heart is by tears. So the slaves singing wasn't really them praying but really them letting there emotions out and trying to repair their broken heart.
DeleteI agree, I think the singing could probably had been a form of many things such as showing their emotions, praying or the slaves just trying to past time as they worked endless hours in the fields
DeleteDefinitely. It must be extremely tedious working in the fields every single day with minimal breaks and practically no entertainment. I agree that the singing was most likely to pass time.
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ReplyDeleteI think that so far Frederick Douglass experienced coming of age when he saw his aunt being whipped. Although, I think that this is only the beginning of him growing up. When he saw his aunt being whipped, it was the first time he had ever witnessed someone being whipped. "It struck me with an awful force" is why I say that it is an example of him coming of age, but his retreat to a closet is what makes me say that this is only the beginning of his transition to an adult. "I was so terrified and horror-stricken at the sight, that I hid myself in a closet" shows how he was still a child, and was not yet hardened to the atrocities of slavery.
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DeleteAgreed. When one experiences such horrible things at such a young age, it kind of forces them to mature and grow up quickly.
DeleteI agree but disagree. I agree on the part that some things will make you come of age but the horrible things are just to make the slaves scared of the Master. The wiping is just to make the slaves listen and be scared so that the slaves will not overcome the master and take over so they can be free.
DeleteThe obvious way that this story illuminates aspects of African-American history is by explicitly describing slavery. Although slavery was a very sad part of African-American history, it is still an aspect of the history and it heavily influenced the culture. The book illuminates this chapter of African-American in a very frank fashion. There are countless examples, but one of them is when a very Frederick Douglass is exposed to his aunt getting whipped. He was just a child, but slaves weren't even treated as people. This book has many examples of the cruelty of slavery, which is a significant aspect of African-American history.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like how "frank" this book is. Rather than trying to make the atrocities committed by slave owners seem less severe or depressing, Frederick Douglass describes them in a way that allows one to get a decent feeling of how life would be if you were a slave.
DeleteI agree, The book is very straight forward and not beating around the bush telling the reader what actually happened in this period of time. The owners really showed no mercy and made it where it was their way or the highway. The impact though in the way I see it has had a massive effect on racism through the years to this time today.
DeleteI agree as well, this is a straight forward book. I think Frederick Douglass was trying to tell the reader what life was like for him and his friends. I love how straight forward it is
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ReplyDeleteFredrick Douglas's way of describing slavery was very interesting, he talks about the ways slaves where mistreated by some of their masters but forgets the master that was called the good overseer . As we look back in the fist two chapters we see that Fredrick Douglas talks about how the slave master had enjoyment of slashing their slaves, and how his aunt was one of the biggest victims. Also the different ways the slave masters talked to the slave and what the got to wear, but he talks about the slave master that was compassionate and didn't abuse the slaves as much as the other masters. Mr. Severe who is less cruel, less noisy and less profaned was the master the slaves called the good overseer. When Mr. sever gave slashing he didn't take enjoyment in slashing his slave at all, and this is was why he was called the good overseer.
ReplyDeleteSo far Fredrick Douglass has not experience coming of age experience, but The few things he has learned he has learned as a slave.Fredrick Douglass has learned is to to be quit and do what you are told by your master, to do you work regardless of how sick or tired you are and not to back moth you master.
ReplyDeleteThe first third of the book really captured the thoughts of Fredrick Douglass and projected them in a clear image. Starting in such a sheltered environment having people raise you and take care of you sets the tone for the beginning of your life. By being placed into a harsh environment, where, no matter who you are or what you do will always, in the end, just be nothing more than a piece of property can impact you in many ways. Fredrick Douglass captured all the aspects that applied to him which made it quite clear as to what he did and how he dealt with the situation.
ReplyDeleteFrederick Douglass describes being nothing more than a piece of property very well on page forty-nine when he says "There were horses and men, cattle and women, pigs and children, all holding the same rank in the scale of being, and were all subjected to the same narrow examination".
DeleteI think the first third of this book describes how every or soon to be slave will end up spending their life in this time period. Frederick Douglass is describing the rough conditions that each slave will experience. Also how they pass the time or go into a state where they are somewhat happy and glad to be not in a worse position. But also shows if they take the risk that they can escape from the hell they are currently in if they would take a chance and be smart about it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. However, I think many of the slaves were too scared to take the risk and attempt to escape because if caught, the consequences would be too horrible to bear.
DeleteI agree that fear of the punishments of attempting to escape stopped many slaves from getting away. It's difficult to imagine having to decide whether to endure the hell of slavery, or to face almost certain capture and severe punishment by trying to escape.
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ReplyDeleteI believe Frederick Douglass experiences a coming of age "hero journey" after he learns how to read and write, therefore allowing him to truly open his mind and contemplate matters deeper than he ever had before. Prior to learning how to read and write, Frederick Douglass would simply do as he was told, with no second thoughts. However, after becoming literate, Frederick Douglass realized how terrible slavery truly was and began questioning everyone and everything. Becoming literate allowed Frederick Douglass to view the world in a way he never had before.
ReplyDeleteI agree, when he becomes literate he is more in-tuned and "enlightened" to the horrors of slavery and how terrible it is. He starts to question the way slaves were treated. I also find inspiring the initiative that Frederick Douglass had to learn by himself.
DeleteIt was fascinating when Frederick Douglass described how different the world and slavery seemed after becoming literate. Also, imagine how difficult it would be to learn with practically no help like that.
DeleteFredericks Douglas story has no coming of age qualifications so far. Mostly its about the slave life and the things thats either happen to or the slaves did.
ReplyDeleteSomething that stood out to me in the opening pages of the fifth chapter was, Frederick Douglass explaining how he was "traded" by his master to Hugh Auld living in Baltimore. The main part of this that awed me was when Mrs. Lucretia made Frederick a pair of trousers, just a simple pair of trousers made him so happy. He exclaimed how he had never owned his own pair. I think this shows us to the slaves, the littlest things in their life(i.e.trousers) makes them happy and they feel like an actual person. To me this speaks volumes, on how the poor slaves were terribly mistreated and just their OWN pair of trousers could make them the happiest slave.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's very sad that such little things could make them so happy. It shows that they really had nothing to their name.
DeleteI agree, slaves received no acts of kindness so when he received those trousers he was astonished, and surprised to get such a kindness from another persons, especially a white one.
DeleteI believe Frederick Douglass experiences a "pre coming of age" moment when Colonel Lloyd lets him go to live in Baltimore with Hugh Auld. Douglass is given three days before his has to leave. In this new home, Douglass hopes to have a far better life style. He also calls this departure "one of the most interesting events of his lifetime." He declares that this movement set the foundation of his "subsequent prosperity."
ReplyDeleteI agree that this was a moment that contributed to Frederick Douglass coming of age. I think that there are many times in the book that I would consider coming of age, the most important being when he learned to read and write.
DeleteI agree with Joseph Patton, there were a lot of "coming of age" moments, and the most important one was learning to read and write because it allowed him to become aware of what is happening around him.
DeleteIn this section of reading it has displayed African-American culture again by the way that slaves were traded and inherited among the family. It explains that after his old master, Captain Anthony, died he went back to the plantation, where the slaves were divided among Captain Anthony's surviving children. When he was "traded" out of the city he realized that slaves were treated better in the city than on plantations, even though they weren't treated good to begin with. To add on, it also explained that slaves were not taught how to read or write. "As many as I could, I converted into teachers. With their kindly aid, obtained at different times and different places, I finally succeeded in learning to read." He learned how to read and write by white boys in the city that were willing to help him.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this much of the book I begin to see the "Hero Journey" that Frederick Douglas is experiencing. I say this because as in the "Hero Journey" Frederick Douglas is on the plantation or the "known section". But when he is sent off to Baltimore it is him going into the "unknown" where he his is facing the "Road of Trials", and I think soon he will reach the "Abyss". I think later in the book he will complete his Hero Journey, but this is how much he has accomplished so far on his path to freedom.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and like how you incorporated the Hero Tracker into Douglass' life. He does go through some hard times and trials, but I too believe the Abyss is on its way.
DeleteI agree. Also, I never would have thought of it like that, so I thought that was fascinating.
DeleteThe story connects to contemporary African-American culture through music. In the story, the slaves sing about their struggles. Like it said in the book, "[The songs] were full of meaning to themselves." This connects to contemporary Hip-Hop music, where the artists rap about social problems concerning the African-American community. Singing is a form of expression that was a part of African-American culture then and is a part of contemporary African-American culture now.
ReplyDeleteI agree. As we have recently learned, the Blues directly came from the African-American songs. I also think, as you have mentioned, that this is also an example of contemporary African-American culture "where the artists rap about social problems concerning the African-American community."
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ReplyDeleteSomething that struck me in chapter six was the explanation of slave life by Frederick Douglass. Not how he was treated, but the difference between city and country slave life. After being sent to the Auld's, Douglass explains that he saw a big difference in how they treated their slaves. Instead of bragging how poorly they treated their slaves, city owners bragged on how well they treated their slaves. Mr. Douglass also states that compared to a plantation slave, a city slave is like a free man. Most city owners feed their slaves well, dress them well, and actually want them to look good.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the blunt depictions of slavery are very striking. The images painted by Frederick Douglass are horrific, but they are explicit in order to convey the unadulterated atrocities of slavery.
DeleteI think that another "coming of age moment" for Frederick Douglass was when he realized the path from slavery to freedom. The realization was that white people kept the slaves enslaved by keeping them uneducated. In the book it says "It called in a new train of thought. It was a new and special revelation." I think this is definitely a turning point for Frederick, as it sparked his burning desire to learn how to read.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the plantation owners did not want their slaves to become literate because of the fear the slaves might start to question their treatment. The owners fear of the slaves becoming literate is just as bad as their fear of a slave uprising. To them, a slave learning how to read and write could lead to lead to the slaves eventual freedom.
DeleteI agree, By keeping slaves uneducated it allowed them to have no way of making money and having their own way of life.
DeleteI agree they could not make a good life for themselves. They had no clean clothes and majority of the time kids went naked. So Keeping them uneducated gave the African american parents saddens and disappointment
Deletein themselves t
In the book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, the aspect of African-Amarican life has shown that the African-Amarican has been treated horribly throughout time. An African-Amarican was usually sold to a white man or a very rich man. The white or rich man treated the slave with terrible things. Each slave was given one blanket for warmth it they have a nice owner. In the winter the slaves would be given one winter coat. The slaves did not have a good place to sleep, Fredrick Douglass had to sleep in a place without heat and eventually gained frostbite so bad that could put a stick in-between the cracks of his feet.I believe that the slaves good aspect was not shown very well in the book, the only thing I thought it showed that there life sucked. Having to be sold as a slave with the pay of a place to sleep and some food, which was nothing close to what they deserved for there hard work.
ReplyDeleteI agree, how they got so mistreated even the kids. The kids got a pair a clothes at certain times and most of the time kids went naked because they had no clothes even in the winter.So the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass does tell use how mistreated slaves were
DeleteFrederick Douglass has come of age in many ways in this book. The first way he has come of age is responsibility, he knows that all the chores that are assigned to him must be completed or he will get punished. His main job so far is picking what it is in the fields and he knows that is the most important job because that is what the overseers make their money off of of the substances that are being picked. The second way is fear for the overseers. Frederick Douglass has learned so far that the oversees are not to be taken lightly, but some slaves can't help how they talk to their slave masters because some don't know who they are just like in chapter 3 page 30 when Colonel LIoyd asked the slave a series of question about how he was treating the slaves and the slave answered the questions like he was talking to a normal white man. The last way Frederick Douglas's come of age is apparition for all items he is given. Frederick Douglass Takes care of his clothes because he know those are the only clothes he gets for that year so he take great care of them, he doesn't go around running in to the fruit garden trying to get to the fruit he waits patently for the food he is given and appreciates it because that is the meal given for the day. This is how Frederick Douglass has come of age.
ReplyDeleteFredrick Douglass describes the kids life which very sad story in the second half of the book. Fredrick Douglass describes the food in which the kids eat. The food is not healthy at all in fact it is like pig slop, he describes it as a brownish color and It looks like mashed potatoes. When the kids go to eat the master puts a bucket of mush out side in the center of the yard. The kids rush after the food, some have spoons,shingles, and some with just pair hands which is unsanitary; some kids don't even get to eat because it is gone before they can get in to have a bite. Some kids dies because of the lack of food. Fredrick Douglass also tells on how Colonel LIoyd has fruit tree and how some kids try to get some fruit but can't because of the fencing would tear their clothes. This way was easy to find a slave that has been stealing which then if the slave found would get beaten.The kids would get limited clothing which in some cases they would freeze to death because of the lack of clothing. Fredrick Douglass tell his story of him steal a corn bag and sleeping in it because he had no clothes, he also said that he got frost bite because his feet where hanging out of the end of the bag. The story of the children and Fredrick Douglass shows the kids culture was like and how mistreated they were.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Frederick Douglass describes that one woman that was in incredibly bad shape after being beaten and starved extensively. He says that she actually competes with the pigs to see who gets to eat the leftovers, which is pretty sad and disgusting.
DeleteThis story illuminates african american history by how they go into depth about what the slaves had to do like tend to horses and work in the fields. Also talks allot about how the slaves got beaten and whipped by their owners or the people in charge or issuing punishment.
ReplyDeleteFrederick Douglass experiences a coming of age or "hero journey" in a variety of ways. For one, he realizes his responsibility when he learns that if his work isn't completed, he will be punished. Additionally, I believe one thing that contributed to Frederick Douglass coming of age was when he became literate. This allowed him to perceive the world in ways he never had before, which I think sort of forced him to grow up. I mean, young people generally grow up being contently ignorant, but when they grow older, they typically become wiser and realize the world is different than how they may have originally thought.
ReplyDeleteI found that is was interesting how Frederick Douglass "recruited" and befriended young white boys to help him grasp the concept of reading and writing. If the father of the boys who helped Douglass found out that they were helping him, they would have probably been punished. Also, the initiative in him to learn was amazing! He explains that he always took his book with him when he ran errands. To pay back the boys that helped him he would give them loafs of bread from the house.To me this is another part of his "coming of age" journey, learning how to read thoroughly and risk his life in doing so.
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DeleteThis story connects to african american contemporary culture by. How the slaves and the black people were being oppressed and treated like 2nd class citizens. I think some people still see that as a issue that black people are still being treating like they are beneath white people.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Since this time most black people constantly believe that they're still below the white people.While they believe they are trying to be equal by playing the racism card or anything that could get white people introuble or start something.
DeleteI also agree with that as well but we got to look at how they are getting an education and how white people are lower then white people now. I believe the name calling is still going on but no feeling lower then the white man. I believe that they have gotten respect out of all this.
DeleteAt my second part of reading I have noticed that Frederick douglass would not put up a fight or argue agaisn't what he has been told. But soon after "coming of age" which he did by learning to read and write he started to think things deeper and more in depth. He noticed how horrible of an act slavery was and began to judge/look at people in different ways.
ReplyDeleteOver this course of the book many things have stood out to me: fear, depression, somewhat happiness, and desperation. Also how small things make the biggest change in a slaves life making them happy or sad. Showing a new owner or "master" could be a meaning of new hope.
ReplyDeleteThis story illuminates to African-American culture with the songs that they would sing. Even though the book states that they were not particularly good singers, it is what they enjoyed doing in their free time. Even though the lyrics do not make much sense to our time, it had a lot of meaning to them and it's how they would express themselves. They would sing on their way to work to make the day just a little bit easier.
ReplyDeleteThis story illuminate the aspects of African-American history how badly they were treated. It showed how much they had to work everyday and get paid very little. It also shows how they had to be beaten or whipped for any little thing they did that displeased their master. One example of how badly they were treated was on page 21 when he witnessed his aunt being whipped when he was just a kid.
ReplyDeleteThis story illuminates aspects of african american history how Frederick Douglas talked about how gruesome some of the slave owners could be. Like on page 33, 34 and 35 it talked about how some of the slave owners would slaughter their slaves. Like how Mr. Gore whipped Demby and eventually blew his brains out or how Mr. Thomas killed two of his slaves, and killed one with a hatchet. Or Mrs Hicks hitting one of the slaves so hard it broke her chest and nose.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the gruesomeness of the slaveowners is, although very unpleasant, a part of African-American history, and this narrative does a very good job of illuminating it.
DeleteI believe Douglass experiences a "coming of age" moment after he fights and wounds Mr. Covey. After this, he describes that Mr. Covey never severely whipped him again. He exclaims that after this, he did not hesitate in questioning the treatment of slaves. This shows how at the beginning Douglass did everything he was told, then in the middle when he was becoming literate he started to question treatment, and now he is completely questioning the treatment of slaves.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Frederick's fight with Mr. Covey is a major turning point for him. He stood up for himself and he refused to be treated like an animal any longer. This is definitely a "coming of age" moment.
DeleteYou are defiantly right about this. This is when Douglass finally sticks up for himself.
DeleteI don't believe this book connects to contemporary African-American culture too strongly. Basically, African-Americans back then were incredibly mistreated, ostracized, and held in very low esteem. Today, however, African-Americans are treated just like any other person, and are considered equals. For instance, African-Americans can now do anything a white individual can, such as holding the same occupations, participating in the same activities, using the same facilities, going wherever they please, and so on. So, while this book is all about how slaves were mistreated to such a high degree, I don't really believe it connects to contemporary African-American culture.
ReplyDeleteI do agree, there is really no connection to contemporary African American culture through this book. The only connections I could see are, the songs they sang, and just the history of slavery and how most African Americans evolved out of that.
DeleteI appreciate your points, but is it really true that racism has been eliminated? What accounts for the disproportionate number of black men in American prisons? Where do we find the origin of the ongoing cycle of poverty/crime/despair that still oppresses many African-Americans and other minorities?
DeleteIn Chapter 10 there is an illumination into African American culture, in the sense of how they received a "vacation" for Christmas to New Years. The slaves were not required to perform any labor. Slaves were allowed to be with each other and celebrate. I found it interesting that is it was deemed a disgrace NOT to get drunk at Christmas. This shows that slaves owners actually did have some care for their slaves by giving them a break. If you think about it, this also gave slave owners a break because they no longer had to prowl over their slaves and keep the in check.
ReplyDeleteI believe Frederick Douglass experiences a "coming of age" when he, and others, started to speak about their long time wish of being free. He was teaching these men how to read, and it seemed to start some rebellion in them, they started to speak of their wishes of being free.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is an illumination into African American history was when Mr. Hugh, made the comparison that the testimony of a thousand african americans in a murder case would be equal to the testimony of ONE white man. This basically shows how the african americans were thought to be less than human to the whites. The law-makers are basically saying, not even a THOUSAND African Americans is equal to One white man. I personally find this quite sad and very disturbing.
ReplyDeleteIn the third section of this book, I don't think that many aspects of African-American culture have been illuminated. African-American culture is the language, music, hairstyles, fashion, dance, and religion of African-Americans, and this section of the book has not clarified any typical matter of African-American culture.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I did not find any identifiable aspects to the unique African-American culture, like the "the language, music, hairstyles, fashion, dance, and religion" of the African-Americans.
DeleteI think that it's amazing that Frederick Douglass learned to read and write with such resourcefulness. It can be frustrating to learn to read and write. Under such unfavorable conditions, Frederick must have had a lot of will power to continue to assimilate the English Language. He was very clever in his strategies to learn letters. An example is when he would challenge the white boys to write the most letters. He would write what he knew, and then learn what he didn't already know from the other boys.
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DeleteI do agree with you, Joseph. I believe that his drive to learn and be free grew over his life. When he was young he mostly followed everything that was expected of him. When he was learning how to read, he started to question the treatment of slaves. Finally, when he was older, and fully literate, he completely question his treatment and the treatment of slaves. After this is when he started to plan his escape. I find it interesting that the littlest thing, becoming literate, sparked all his strive to become free. I do believe, that this is the true "coming of age" story in this book.
DeleteI must say it is beyond amazing, it is almost impossible what Frederick did. He learned English, one of the most complicated languages, by as you have already said "He would write what he knew, and then learn what he didn't already know from the other boys."
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ReplyDeleteIn this finally section of reading I was able to complete the "Hero Tracker." Frederick Douglass is in the "Known Section" when he was at his original plantation, but when he moved to Baltimore he entered the "Unknown section" of the tracker. There he faced many trails, but that is not where his abyss happened. His abyss happened when he was with Covey, and he was beaten down so far that he gave up, and he even tried to kill himself. Page 63:"I was broken in body, soul, and spirit. 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 upon me; and behold a man transformed a brute!" After this experience his desire for freedom was stronger than ever. He finally escapes, and he shows how much he has changed when he speaks at an antislavery convention.
ReplyDeleteExcellent mapping of the hero journey, Mark! Your argument for his abyss moment makes a lot of sense, especially with the textual evidence you provided.
DeleteAfter finishing this book I had three reactions. My first reaction was compassion. After reading all the hardships that Douglass has faced and then conquered, I felt bad for him. How he watch his aunt get beaten, to getting beaten himself. It was a tragic story, but an important one. My second reaction was awe. I could not believe that he could still have the courage and perseverance to continue to believe in hope, and freedom. How he refused to follow the orders of Covey when he was about to get whipped, to the time that he defended himself against Covey. My final reaction to this story is pride. I am proud that Douglass kept believing and that he finally got what he wanted, freedom. I have enjoyed this book, and have learned much from it.
ReplyDeleteIn the last section of the narrative of Fredrick Douglass I didn't to see much much african american Culture. Their was no clarification on what kind of fashion they had or the what kind of music or religion they had. I would like to have know what kind of religion, and music the african americans population mostly loved.
ReplyDeleteAs we look in to the further in to history we see we see know that wee see kids without an education. This is happing in the east , kids are not getting an education they are getting deprived of an education. These kids can not make a better living if they don't get education. Some of these kids have potential that has not been unlocked just like the kids in the narrative of Fredrick Douglas. The kids in fredrick Douglas time are just like the kids in the mid east today, they have no clothes,food,education, and family. This problem hasn't gone away at all and it might just get worse.
ReplyDeleteThe story illuminates the story aspects of African-American culture because the whole story is about being an African-American slave and the struggles you had to go through during that time being a slave for white people .
ReplyDeleteThe story illuminates aspects of African-American history because this really did happen to African-Americans. They weren’t free or didn’t have freedom because the white people didn’t allow them too. Slaves were overworked, exhausted, received little food, few pieces of clothing, and no beds. Slaves weren’t able to read because the white people didn’t want them to know what was going on. Back then, African-Americans had a hard life.
ReplyDeleteFrederick Douglass experiences a coming-of-age “hero journey” because Frederick Douglass at a young age was put with Captain Anthony’s son-in-law, Hugh Auld. Hugh’s wife, Sophia Auld taught Frederick how to read but then, had to stop because Mr. Auld told her to stop because “that made the slaves unmanageable.” But, Frederick got help reading from local boys. Frederick also learns to read and write and becomes conscious of the evils of slavery and of the abolitionist, and plans to escape the North eventually. Frederick was passed bath and forth to many people during slavery. He saved money bit by bit from the jobs he worked and eventually makes his escape to New York. Then marries Anna Murray, a free woman he wet while he was in Baltimore. The moved north to Massachusetts, when they get to Massachusetts, Frederick Douglass becomes deeply engaged with the abolitionist movement, as both a write and an orator. Frederick Douglass survived being a slave and got away. Thats how he's became a hero for most African-American people.
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