Frederick Douglass 1

Chapters 1 and 2: Introduction to Life on the Plantation

In the first two chapters, Douglass discusses his early life on the plantation. He talks about his birthplace and primary years, his relationship (or lack of a relationship) with his parents, the types of slave masters and overseers (the people in charge of making sure the slaves are on their job), some of the punishments, and the role of music/singing on the plantation. Summarize an idea from one of the first two chapters. Find a quote that you think represents this concept or idea. Connect that idea to present-day society or to your life.

Example: [Topic: Dogs (note: there is no specific mention of dogs in the first two chapters)].
In Chapter 1 of Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass mentions how his dog is an important part of his early development. His dog was the only individual who supported him in his quest to obtain freedom. In the middle of the chapter, he mentions, "Pluto was more than just a dog; he was a member of the family, a fellow soldier in the fight for freedom" (9). Douglass' words show the power of his relationship with his pet, and they give an example of the importance of pets in a society.

I think I share a similar sentiment with Mr. Douglass. My pet fish, Beto, seemed to be the only one who understood my problems. True, he could not speak English, but his flapping, swimming, and attentiveness were enough to make me feel validated and appreciated. I believe pets play a similar role in society. They are the glue that keeps our country together, because just like Beto, they have the ability to see into the hearts of people and provide us with hope. In Douglass' Text, Pluto was able to inspire him to make significant changes in his thinking, and I think that if we made those connections to pets today, the world would be a better place. (212 words).
--Robert Robinson

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