History & Nature of American slavery
This writing assignment will give you a glimpse into the nature of American slavery. Please provide well-developed and insightful answers to the following questions based on Frederick Douglass’ autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave (1845).
Douglass’ wrenching autobiography serves as an invaluable primary account detailing the aspects, mechanisms, and evils of American slavery seen through the eyes of a man who lived and escaped from it. When answering these questions, don’t simply rephrase or regurgitate Douglass’s words, but utilize and express your own. (Do not cut & paste – answers cut & paste will receive “zero” points.) For some background on Douglass’ life, read about Douglass and abolitionism in your textbook.
Read the assignment questions carefully before you read the sources. Read the sources carefully, taking notes as you read. After a thorough and careful reading, answer the assignment questions with insight and clarity. Answer each questions fully, paying attention to all parts of the questions. This is not an essay assignment. You have specific questions to answer. Please leave the questions on the assignment submission and place your responses directly after each question.
Each question should be answered in 2-4 solid paragraphs. Use academic college level writing including evidence analysis and place in historical context. To support your answers, provide specific details and examples with in-text citations from the materials. Responses received without in-text citations will receive a 5-point off the earned grade and may be considered plagiarized.
Draw upon what you have read but also reflect upon the relevant historical material covered in class. Answer the questions on the attached word document. Responses must include the questions & response should follow each question individually.
Refer to the course source materials and the textbook only. You do not need to do any research. Do not use outside sources (Internet, Websites etc.) Assignments with outside sources will receive zero points.
Assignment Questions:
- Explain why Douglass knows nothing of his accurate age. In describing the ways slaves understood or “related” to their biological parents, what does Douglass know about his father and describe the kind of relationship Douglass had with his mother Harriet? Provide specific examples and details from the primary source to support your response.
- Douglass sees the first of many slave evils during the whipping of his Aunt Hester. According to Douglass, describe, what kind of offenses or perceived offenses that a slave can commit to warrant brutal punishment or whippings (other than Aunt Hester)? Provide specific examples and details from the primary source to support your response.
- Douglass provides stark information about the torturous and controlling nature of slavery. In other words, Douglass clearly shows the complete and absolute power the master has over his slave. What various episodes from his narrative does Douglass provide to reflect this power relationship (Do not use Aunt Hester)? [Note: the master is not the same as the overseer, but you are permitted to describe the actions of the overseer in this answer] Provide specific examples and details from the source to support your response.