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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So I read the book and have found it to be much more fascinating than I originally thought it would be. Although, to put it frankly what he says doesn’t really matter much to me. However, it’s quite fascinating the part in where he talks about the interracial children born from white masters and slave women. I wonder it is quite likely that some of those children may have been born with a much lighter or whiter skin tone than most.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what happened to them because quite likely the existence of white looking slave children would have most easily have aroused speculation on who the father of that slave child was. It would have been a very shameful thing had people found out that a white man was having relations with his slave. Of course it would also be very weird to have a slave that would look white. Now the question here was what happened to those white looking slaves? After all being a slave was (not trying to be mean or anything) a “black” thing which brings speculation of what happened to them.
On another note to take was how slaves tend to sing whenever they were sad. I think that the singing is more of a lifeline for them to concentrate on during their pitiful living conditions. The way people run to get away from their problems or to ignore them. It’s fascinating how they would do something that should be enjoyed to give themselves some comfort, never knowing that the action of singing should be something to be enjoyed.
-----Victor Trujillo
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ReplyDeleteWhile reading these chapters i was most astounded by the fact that Fredrick’s father was a white man. "My father was a white man." This was as victor said a shameful thing to have done in those times and yet the slave master did it. There also was a speculation that Douglass’s slave master was the father. This would have caused an "awkward" relationship. This would have caused an awkward tension because it would’ve been a constant reminder that he had sex with a colored. This most likely would have caused Douglas to receive more punishment then the rest of the slaves. Also if anyone found out he would probably be disliked by other white men.
ReplyDeleteI can relate this idea with today because many people still believe conjoining races is bad. It shouldn’t be but it is still disliked by others. Most of this hate is conjured up in the southern states such as Louisiana and Mississippi and can cause uproar in the separate racial parties. This also can be a marking point for people to see the judgment they are giving is bad and cause them to accept interracial marriage. This affects me because i am a colored individual and this can cause a judgment of my life.
-Lucas Cruz
After having read the two chapters, I was astonished at how the slaves were dehumanized to the point where they don’t know their age. I was surprised at this main part of the chapters because I couldn’t find room in my mind to imagine someone torturing another person even if it isn’t done physically or emotionally. Besides this event, the second thing that got me thinking was on the second chapter “Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains” (19). This phrase said by Douglass is saying that every song written is a step forward to gaining faith and freedom as well as a message to God. The reason for why this sentence was eye catching to me is because of all the comparisons that can be made towards other situations.
ReplyDeleteWhat I personally think about reading the two chapters is that thankfully today slavery is over. Many people might say that today we still live in plenty discrimination and I don’t deny it but as slavery ended the rest will end as well. In other words, what I thought was about the future just as Douglass did believing that in the future they would be free.
--Leslie Cadenas
As I read the first chapter, I was very surprised. When Frederick Douglass stated, “My father was a white man,” my mind were full of thoughts. At first, I thought that Douglass’ father had a relationship with his mother before slavery started. Then, he changed his mind and thought that whites were better than blacks. However, then I thought about the quote again and realized that his father may have just been having relationships with his slave. Maybe his mother wasn’t the only person his father had a relationship with.
ReplyDeleteAs I continued with the chapter, I was astonished at the fact that “[He] never saw [his] mother…” Beforehand, I knew that slaves would go out onto the farm and do hard labor for their owners. However, I also thought that mothers were able to stay with their children. I was deeply hurt when Douglass stated, “She was gone long before I knew any thing about it. Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger.” At the moment, I was speechless. I had no idea that his feelings about his mother were so strong.
This relates to me because I know that without my mother’s presence, I wouldn’t be able to go on with my life. It would be difficult to accept if my mom was gone all of sudden.
--Trang Phan
In the first chapter of The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, Douglass described his memories of an overseer named Mr. Plummer. His reminiscences of Plummer effected in his wanting to become a free man. His own visual view point had showed him that the wanting to become free was a difficult challenge though worth its struggles in the end. His relationship with Mr. Plummer had given him support in his goal to become free. Within the chapters, he recalled the images in which had played a role in his goal. He remembered one event in which Mr. Plummer had whipped a slave. He realized that it “...was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass” (20). Fredrick Douglass’s memories show how his dreadful relationship with Mr. Plummer inspired him to gain his own freedom.
ReplyDeleteI believe Douglass’s relationship with Mr. Plummer can relate to me. When I was in elementary school, I use to have a “friend” that would always order me around. I felt as if I wasn’t doing what I wanted but what she did. I felt like I shouldn’t be in this position at all because it was only hurting me. In the text, Douglass’s relationship caused him to open his eyes and see a brighter life and in my life, it helped me realized that by hanging out with her wasn’t the right way to go but make friends that would be there.
--Bao Yang
In Chapter 1 of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, I was honestly sickened when I read the way Frederick Douglass explained how slaves were deprived of knowledge as basic as their age and how he said, "it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant" (13). In here, it's not only that I thought of how they were kept from knowing things like their age, but from all of the other things they kept them from knowing. By limiting their knowledge, it isn't only because they considered slaves as low as animals (or lower), it's also a way of retaining them, a way to keep them from expanding their minds, thus keeping power over them. Like it is said, knowledge is power; by keeping them naive about their lives and the world, they keep them unable to move or do anything else, except for what they are commanded to.
ReplyDeleteIn our time, there are still places were the government keeps certain groups from their right to learn. A common example would be in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, where women were forbidden from going to school, and although they can go to school now (in some places), the ones that do go to school are looked down on, and are in constant danger of being attacked. To constrain people like that is disgraceful, and by keeping people from learning they are keeping them from their independence.
--Melissa Coria
By indolently reading only two chapters of this forlorn looking book, I was well accompanied by it. It starts simple, regarding Sir Frederick Douglass’ past only as a mere slide show in my mind. As the words progressed slowly in my cranium, I felt a jolt of shock every paragraph. It is indeed saddening to not be able to know your own age. Even if age determines your persona, it is only a measly imaginary number.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I tend to wish I had weird traumas like how Frederick Douglass stated, “A want of information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood.” (13). If I didn’t know my age, I wouldn’t much care; I’d only continue my life with a smirk with my face. Knowing you are of younger age would only let your run around in the same small circle protected with a barrier to avoid maturity until the coming of age. However, knowing that you are of elderly age, you become exhausted; confused on what practically can soothe your soul in order to revive as an adolescent once again or even eternal rest. As I have before declared, I would just burst into energy and run through my huge playground, the world; to explore the world is only the beginning, and the real goal is to spread my imagination as a story teller. My weakness is to be imprisoned just like Frederick in his younger days, unable to escape.
----[Kyara Gandara] [250]
After having read the chapters of Frederick Douglas, I was quite shocked that the book was actually quite interesting. In the first chapter of the book, I was drawn in when Douglas described how his master would beats one of his aunts because it had brought him pleasure. Douglas was so descriptive in recalling this incident that I felt as if I was witnessing it myself.I came to admire Douglas for this because it must have been a painful memory to recall. He said, "...after rolling up his sleeves, he commenced to lay on the heavy cowskin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heart-rending shrieks from her, and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor. I was so terrified and horror-stricken at the sight, that I hid myself in a closet, and dared not venture out till long after the bloody transaction was over..." ( ). This quote shows the horrible things he encountered in his life. But being able to tell them it demonstrates what type of person he is, an admirable man.
ReplyDeleteI can relate somewhat to what Douglas experineced. Everyone faces hardships, including myself, so I feel that the incident is quite relatable. Overcoming those hardships sometimes can be dealt with by sharing with other people.
--Deana Mercado .
As I began to read the first chapter of Frederick Douglass, I realized that I was not suprised by his experiences of overseers torturing women and seperating them from their babies. The extent of human cruelty no longer surprises me, though I know that to be a slave was something horrible and indescribable.
ReplyDeleteWhat most caught my attention in the first two chapters was how Douglass refered to his parentage and birth. Like Victor Trujillo, the subject of mixed children facinates me. I continue to wonder even now what happened to the mixed children of white masters. If there where as many mixed children as Douglass described, would there not have been a new race created? Another subject that I found intresting was that slave women who had babies were seperated from them. As Douglass himself said, "For what this seperation is done, I do not know..." (12). I had before believed that slave women were able to keep and raise their own children.
Returning to the subject of mixed children, in recent times, I have noticed an increase of mixed race couples, and so i have come to believe that the next generation of children will live in a country in which mixed races will be a comonplace occurence. Because of this observance, I have come to wonder that if the mixed children of slaves had been allowed to be free, would the mixing of races have been commonplace today?
While reading the autobiographic novel of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass introduced in the first two chapters that ones privacy although was important did not really matter to African American slaves. "By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs."[19] They knew exactly what season it was, which means that they based their lives on hard labor work in the fields to tell time. Frederick Douglass later talks about how mothers were seperated from their child after about twelve months and had little contact with one another. Those who had white fathers who tried to protect them from such laws had very many misfortune. He also includes that childeren who were still too young to work had really little clothes to cover themselves, " ... their clothing consisted of two coarse linen shirts per year."[26] Which forced childern to work in order to provide warm clothes for themselves. Frederick Douglass empasizes on their lack of sleep and sleeping enviorment. After a hard day at work they would just plop on one single bed altogther in order to awake at the time their owners call them to work in the fields.
ReplyDeleteWith this in mind, I realized that taking advantage of what we have is what the 21st century do too often to realize. We take advantage of one another, of where we live and our soroundings. We assure ourselves that it will be there for forever but we forget that forever will someday disappear.
While reading chapter one a main detail that grabbed my attention was Frederick Douglass’ unknowing of his own age. As he stated: “The white children could tell could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege. I was not allowed to make any inquiries of my master concerning it.”(47). As I read this passage from the book I couldn’t agree with him more on the injustice that was being played on these children. I too can’t understand how a simple matter such as knowing your age could be asking too much since the children were not allowed to solicit on that information.
ReplyDeleteAdding to the unfairness of how children were treated, a large of amount of them did not even know their own mothers since they were wrongfully taken from the arms of their mothers as early as birth. This idea is illustrated through Douglass’ lack of mutual affection between his mother and himself. The pure fact that they only really saw each other by night is not an idea that I find very pleasing for any child. Connecting myself to the book made me realize the great fortune I have of having my mom with me from birth, something that wasn’t very common for the children in the time of slavery. Reading that passage raised a question within me on what the behavioral differences would be between a child raised with a mother as oppose to one raised without.
-Jocelyn Munoz [250]
Throughout the reading the first two chapters of this dehumanizing text, it came to mind that human beings are(or can be) a sick conception of life. The use of words describing the little knowledge put upon Douglass' personal life and mind, the horrid people whom i can't really dare to call "humans", and the sorrow expressed throughout the days by song or black form of "art" is quite consuming to the mind. Yet, it is fairly easy to apprehend how hard it is NOT to believe it.
ReplyDeleteThe description gave alot of horrid images to mind which caused me to feel a loss sense of reason and hope towards God. One reason, i think, to the Human creation was to create and strenghten something able to fight between the war of good and evil.The mind.Everyday in life we are encountered by something some of us have never encountered before.Slavery was one. Humans were made and able to feel numerous amounts of categorized emotions, feelings, and pain, like leslie said physically and/or emotionally, but the one that mainly caught my curious peculiar eye was emotion.
As the story continued to it's reason,two small passages reeled me in the way a fish is to the human prey. " ...and while i am writing these lines, an expression of feeling has already found its way down my cheek. To those songs i trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery.(58)" Slavery was a gateway to hell. Being discriminated,used,or looked down upon because of skin color is a thickheaded, sluggish, unreasonable excuse for a maid. Who are we as human beings to decide who's superior to others or not? Human way of life can be a competition for attention or praise of possesing power.To be free was a rare idea that was questioned or brought up frequently. Whenever slaves sung their songs it was to express what little happiness they had or the depth of their sorrow "The song of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart(58)." This easily related to my life for various reasons but mainly because Music ,to me, is not only my, but others form of self expression as well. As a band or orchestra unites to play one song or melody, a story or feeling begins to rise. Together as one, we combine to set free what we have as individuals deep within. The dynamics or wave of an aura feeling are worn throughout the use of our instruments. Whether it's high or low,or,sweet or anticipating, our music is and can be what little we have to self expression. i believe that freedom is also formed into groups. As freedom is questioned, so will self expression and life be as well.
While reading chapter one of the Narrative of Frederick Douglass, I ran across a few assumptions Frederick Douglass made that empowered the idea of not knowing your background. “My mother and I were separated when I was but an infant—before I knew her as my mother” (10). This showed how separation interacted within his life before he even understood the difference between and white man and black man. Throughout his life he had “masters” that controlled, ordered, and owned him. The thought of escaping or running away was costly to the slaves. Any attempts of deliverance had penalties such as whippings, beatings, and sales.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two, Frederick Douglass was describing the kind of masters he had. However, each time he described them, they all had something similar, for instance cruelty, selfishness, and unkindness. For example, he was comparing his old master to his latest master and it turned out that they were both narrow-minded and arrogant. The important role that Frederick Douglass mentioned was the overseers. There role was to make sure everyone was doing their duty correctly and not fooling around. These people took their job very seriously, not as a joke. However, while attaining their duty, they took it to another standard.
--Ruth Tesfai [206]
my blog was the one at 12:04 am on july 6.
ReplyDelete-bev
Throughout the first chapter, Frederick Douglass shares his experience within the plantations. Instead of being told by his own father that he was his son, his peers mentioned that his master was possibly his own blood. With this in mind, he questioned whether this information was accurate or bogus. Douglass noticed that the families of whites failed to understand that the children they oppressed had some type of relation towards them whether it was blood or childhood related. This brought up his age that he did not notice until he matured which was during his mid-twenties. Many white children knew their age; however, African American slaves had not knowledge of their age because it did not come to mind.
ReplyDeleteIn the second chapter, he thoroughly explained the conditions of the plantations. Within this chapter, he goes in deeper detail about the masters and overseers. The comparisons were quite similar for both roles were allowed to abuse the slaves. He revealed the treatment of slaves and the relationship between the masters and overseers. Although there was one overseer that was not as cruel, the same punishments towards slaves were given manditorily. Another event that stood out was when the slaves were singing songs--but not of joy. The slaves sang songs of sorrow to rid of their pain while traveling to the Great House Farm. One may think that singing is a way to let out their happiness. Douglass points out that singing is a way to release inner emotions.
--Bach Diep [250]
The first two chapters of the book, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass “, Douglass gives a short summary of what life was in slavery. It is very sad to not know your parents well or have little communication. In the first chapter Douglass explain that there were rumors going on about his master being his father. He probably didn’t want to accept the fact that it was true because he wouldn’t be any happier than he was just for knowing that. Douglass never really had a family he mainly depended on his own. He witnessed the abusing of a master to a slave. He knew that one day that would be him but he didn’t want that to occur so soon.
ReplyDeleteThe second chapter speaks of how they would sing. Their song expressed their feelings. He would often cry when he would listen to them. He felt sad when he heard all those people singing. I think that they would sing because it was the only time they could share true feeling with each other when they were together. “This they would sing, as a chorus, to word which to many would see unmeaning jargon, but which, nevertheless, were full of meaning to themselves”(47)Only the slaves knew the true meaning of their songs. I can relate this for myself because I often tend to do things or say things that no one else know the meaning of it only myself.
At first I had trouble understanding the book but after I read more about it I understood the hardship the slaves had to go through. At the first chapter Douglass talks about his childhood and about not knowing who his father was, and the rumors about his master being his father. He also talks about the overseers and their cruel methods towards the slaves. He also talks bout how slave women with children are separated from there new born child if the baby’s father is the master and also how the master (or father of the baby) sells the baby to another person. He also talks about the first time he witnessed the cruel punishment given to disobeying, and rebellious slaves. He talks about how terrified he was when he saw this and the horrible yelling coming form the slave.
ReplyDeleteIn the second chapter he talks about slaves getting their yearly allowance in clothes and their monthly allowance in food. He also says that the slaves were not given beds but just a blanket to share with each other. Children were working naked if they outgrew their clothes and had to wait until their next yearly allowance. He also talked about how slaves would sing and every tone was a sign of slavery and a prayer of hope that one day their chains will be free.
Reading this book was very interesting. I came across some interesting facts and details. In chapter two, this pacific quote came to my attention and it stated "'I am going away to the Great House Farm! O, yea! O, yea! O!"'
ReplyDeleteThis was apart of a song that the slaves would sing when they were depressed and sad. By singing this allowed them to forger about their struggles and forcus on the bright side of their situations. The masters and overseers didnt see the point of singing, but that didnt stop the slaves from bringing happiness to their hearts.
I can relate to the slaves and understand why they would sing and pray eventhough they were tortured and being put to work. I know when i get sad or upset, i tend to think about the good things and that keeps my day going and allows me to stat postive and focus on the right path in life.
In chapter 1, Frederick Douglass talks about his early life and the life within the plantation. He explains how he doesn't know his real age, which he then estimated by the comments of his master. This chapter also tells about his family. Douglass was seperated from his mother, Harriet Bailey, soon after birth. His mother died at the age of seven. Douglass's father was a white man, He explains how being a mixed race slave is the worse due to the insults of their existence. His first master was named Captain Anthony. He was a cruel man. He recalls a scene that surprises me. I was surprised how he held the tourment and the abuse both emotionally and physically.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2, he explains the conditions of the plantation. Throughout this chapter, he goes into more detail about the masters and overseers. He elaborates the relationship between them. He also tells us how the slave would sing songs, though not songs about joy. They sing songs about their sorrows. Douglass says that they sing songs to express their inner emotions, which can not be seen.
I personally can't compare my life to Douglass's life. To start out, I wouldn't be able to estimate my age through someone's comments, like he did. That took a lot of brains and common sense, something I don't have. I was surprised how much I learned about slavery just by reading the first two chapters of this book.
In chapters one and two of "The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave," Douglass starts by informing us of his childhood. The fact that slaves were not allowed to know their age and forced to be ignorant I think is ridiculous. He then goes on about how slaves would be brutally whipped. The part that affected me the most was when he talked about how his aunt was beaten because she was with a man she wasn’t supposed to be with. "He then said to her, 'Now, you d--d b--t, I'll learn you how to disobey my orders!' and after rolling up his sleeves, he commenced to lay on the heavy cowskin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heartrending shrieks from her and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor." (21)
ReplyDeleteHearing this made me so furious at the fact that she was denied to be out with a man she liked. That made me feel like the slaveholders were enraged that Douglass’ aunt would dare believe she can think of herself as a human who can have feelings, when all she was to them was an object. I think the reason the slaveholders kept the slaves personal information away from them was, because they didn’t want the slaves to develop the strength to be someone who could change the reality of slaves.
The following two chapters I felt them as real intense with the feelings. In other words, the thoughts that the reader expresses towards the book are ass powerful as if you were the one living through the horrible story told. Well this is what I felt one would fell after reading chapters three and four. Having the author let us know that the slaves were sometimes whipped for no reason at all, got me thinking how coward the white people were back then. I personally believe that the slave owners would whip their slaves to make them appear stronger, braver and frightful. Such as the following phrase says, “He argued that if one slave refused to be corrected, and escaped with his life, the other slaves would soon copy the example; the result of which would be, the freedom of the slaves, and the enslavement of the whites” (27), the slave masters fear to end up being slaves but hide the fear in order for others to fear them.
ReplyDeleteI think that chapters three and four were mostly describing the injustice of the slaves and how their punishments were handled. Therefore the imagery in the last two chapters was very intense.
--Leslie Cadenas-- [201 words]
Mr. Robinson, where is the post for ch. 3&4?
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to post it here then..
I’m beginning to believe that slavery was very similar to the Holocaust. Although the Holocaust was way worse, but there are some actions about slavery that makes the two similar. “This is the penalty of telling the truth, of telling the simple truth, in answer to a series of plain questions.” When I read that quote, I just thought about the Holocaust. Slaves were getting beaten just because they simply answer with honesty. However, they also get beaten for trying to get food when they’re starving to death. During the Holocaust, the Jews weren’t getting fed either. Moreover, they would get severe punishments such as: being killed, getting beat, etc. If we think about slavery like the Holocaust, there really are a lot of similarities.
I, myself, have not experienced anything like getting beat, getting lashed, etc. before. But, I can relate to emotions. When we first starting learning about the Holocaust, it was heartbreaking. I just couldn’t believe that humans can do such a “thing” to other humans. When I was reading chapter 3, I was really shocked and hurt. In my mind, I just couldn’t believe that people can be so cruel back then. I had basic knowledge of slavery, but as time progressed and I learn more concepts, I began to understand more. I understand that the world is not perfect, and we’re still in a process of change. [232 words]
--Trang Phan
Throughout these two chapters, Douglass addressed several accounts of how slaves were treated from jobs they could have to the rights they don’t have. In one incident he recalled the remembrance of a slave in which had answer to Colonel Lloyd’s question on his viewpoints. His response of his work being too hard for him had resulted into him being sold. This occurrence had Douglass recall memories in which he was asked about his master. His response of “…[I] do not remember ever to have given a negative answer; nor did I, in pursuing this course, consider myself as uttering what was absolutely false” (31). His words showed me that even being honest was not a right thing to do because it could get you in serious problems if you were a slave and to me, it’s quite odd because I live by the standard of being a honest person so when hearing this, it’s outrageous that slaves had to lie in order to keep peace within the place they live in and work.
ReplyDeleteI can recall a moment in life that can tie to Fredrick Douglass’s memories. Like any other student, sometimes when something is missing in a class they were often asked to write on a sheet of paper of what they know. I wouldn’t write much other than the words “I don’t know” because I didn’t know anything about the issue. Now, honesty is taken as a righteous thing to do compare to slavery time. (248)
--Bao Yang
As I ventured further into chapter three and four, I noticed that his cruel experiences have remained the same but in other words still torturing and saddening. Frederick Douglass spoke of a gorgeous garden,”It abounded in fruits of almost every description, from the hardy apple of the north to the delicate orange of the south.”(21). I hypothesize that Frederick was stupefied by the beauty of the garden, since it was said to be “probably the greatest attraction of the place” (21), which even “The colonel had to resort to all kinds of stratagems to keep his slaves out of the garden“(21). These excerpts rang a bell into my cranium back to when I was a mere toddler; I use to help guard the garden of my grandmother. The way I aided was chase the pet cat out of the garden. I was not much of a care taker, but I did and still despise cats which boosted my power to scare away those darn felines. But because I was destructive, I was refrained from touching the fruits and vegetables. Temptation tingled my remaining baby fat, which bolted adrenaline into my system. For shame, I defied the rules and took a bite off a fresh peach. After I was convicted to a misdemeanor, I was sentenced to my room for punishment. There was no television for me for a week. From that day, I missed my favorite cartoons Alvin and the Chipmunks, Animaniacs, Las Adventuras de Fly, and Sailor Moon. Later, I learned to be civilized, strong and protective; the garden was created to please the village people, not to satisfy the knight. A knight is rewarded with pride due to their courageous deeds! Although Frederick was forced with labor to help preserve the garden, he perhaps only participated with glee only for the sake for the garden, not because he was required to do it.
ReplyDeleteIm not sure where to post ch 3 & 4, so I will post it here.
ReplyDeleteChapters three and four delve further into Frederick Douglass' experience as a slave. Douglass mostly talks about his master, Colonol Lloyd, and his overseer, Mr. Austen Gore. Colonel Lloyd cared more for his valuable horses than all his slaves put together. He would find any exuse to fault the work of the two slaves who cared for his horses and severely punish them. Colonel Lloyd was so wealthy that he was said to own a thousand slaves, and if that was not true, there were so many slaves that most of them never saw their master. What struck me as a particularly cruel act of Colonel Lloyd was when Douglass recounted a story of a time when Colonel Lloyd was touring his land when he came apon one of his slaves. The slave, not knowing that the Colonel was his master, told the truth of his condition to the Colonel. Even though the slave was just being honest, he was severely punished by being sold. Because I value honesty and try to be honest all the time, I find this to be extremely cruel that someone should be punished for telling the simple truth.
However, in my opinion the overseer, Mr. Gore, is the worser of the two men. Mr. Gore deals out more punishment than he does words. He is also a murderer and did not lose a wink of sleep over his crime. It is my opinion that the closest to an evil person there can be is one who kills and is unreasonably cruel withought feeling the slightest twinge of remorse or conscience.
Just a reminder folks: Chapters 3&4 are to be posted on the post that is labeled "Frederick Douglass 2."
ReplyDeleteIn the first two chapters of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” he begins the story of his life by stating that he had no real knowledge of his background. He vaguely knew his mother and he had a slight idea who his father was because of the fact that he was half white. He also states that the reason why he didn’t know his age was because in most cases the slaves did not know their age because the owners tried to keep them as little informed as possible which lead to their ignorance overall. During these two chapters, Douglass describes how his life was on the farm and how the tragic sights he had witnessed changed his perspective on life. In one situation, he explains how the slaves on his farm were beaten brutally by some men with no remorse. Each slave-owner had an overseer. The overseer’s job was to make sure the slaves were doing their work. On the first farm Frederick lived on he was unfortunate to have a cruel overseer who beat anybody, man or woman, so bad that even the slave-owner was enraged by his actions. Witnessing beatings and tragedies like he did was life changing experience for Douglass. “I have known him to cut and slash the women’s heads so horribly, that even master would be enraged by his cruelty, and would threaten to whip him if he did not mind himself.”(26) When I read this part, I was infuriated on how the slaves were treated on the farms. I feel that no person should be forced to live through so much pain a suffering for something they never did.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 1, Frederick Douglas speaks on his early life on the plantation where he grew up. He explains how he wasn’t informed on his age, and wasn’t so sure of who his father was. He talked about how children were taken from their mothers at young ages. He felt it was to “hinder the development of the child affection toward its mother.”(40) I feel that taking the child from the mother at an age less than a year is yet cruel but is better for the child because he will be raised properly but not by his original mother Douglas only seen his mother about four or five times while she was alive. But they only met for brief durations of time. His mother passes when he was seven, but he was informed of it until long after she was gone.
ReplyDeleteGoing into chapter 2 Frederick Douglas explained more on conditions on the plantation. He also talks about the relationship he became upon with his masters. He informs on songs that slave would sing. Not so much joyful songs, but songs about their pains and sorrows.
I am now aware of the many different hard life styles people went and had to adjust to. But this also helps me to be more appreciative of the things we are blessed with today in society.
In the first two chapters of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave; Douglass discusses his encounters with Mr. Severe (one of the overseers of the plantation) and describes how Mr. Severe was a cruel and destructive overseer. When Mr. Severe received the chance to administer the law of the plantation, he did so with a strict manner. When any slave broke a decree, he whipped them to pulp, proven in this quote, “He seemed to take pleasure in manifesting his fiendish barbarity” (15).When news was attained of Mr. Severe’s death, the plantation workers felt it was a mercy shown by God. When a less brutal overseer took Mr. Severe’s position, the slaves rejoiced.
ReplyDeleteWhen a person is dealt with a tough time in their life and a miracle or a change for the better occurs, they believe it is a signal from God. This usually gives a person relief and allows them to suppose that someone is giving them hope in their life. I also believe that God can produce miracles and there is a reason to look forward to a future with good fortune. Whenever my life is in a downward slope, I pray for God to provide a good occurrence in my life.
---- Adan Adan
Well, I started to read this book and I didnt really pay attention to what I was reading. Then I sat down with Nakia and started to understand the true hardships that slaves had to face. The part that was the most interesting to me was on the cruel and unjust punishments that would now be considered unconstitutional and against the eight amendments. When Frederick Douglass was talking about his aunt and how badly she was punished it really spoke out to me. His old master liked to have his aunt with him and was told that she must not be with any other young man or else. Unfortunately she broke those restrictions. It didnt go so well for her."No words, no tears, no prayers, from his gory victim, seemed to move his iron heart from it's bloody purpose." (23). It was as if something possesed the slave owners to unleash upon them such cruelty. This affected the life of young Frederick Douglass because it was the first time that he had ever witnessed such madness.
ReplyDelete"I have often been awakened at dawn of day by the most heartrending shrieks of an aunt of mine , whom he used to tie up to a joust, and whip upon her naked back till she was literally covered with blood"(23).
I'm glad that I continued to read the book. I honestly thought that it was going to bore me to death. Like Kathy said, i dont really relate to Mr.Douglass' experiences. People of our generations are fortunate enough to not witness such behavior from anyone. However, there are victims now who flee from violence of the signifcant others/spouse. I am lucky enough to have a blessed life and family that I have never witnessed such inhumanities.
--Carol Munoz
so, At first i didnt want to do this blog stuff because i thought frederick Douglass was a former slave who became free and turned into guy like "Al Sharpton". well, that assumtion from me was false.In the first chapter Douglass describes where he was born and hes uncertainty of his age, which is sad because if i didnt know my age i would go "nuts".he also describes how he really felt like he didnt have a mom because he was always seperated from her and when she passed he wasnt able to go to her burial.At an early stage in his life, he witnessed adult slaves getting brutaly beaten by their slave masters,in the book he witnessed his Aunt get beaten by their master for disobeying his "orders", "after rolling up his sleeves, he recommended to lay on the heavy cow skin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heartrending shrieks from her,and horrid oaths from him)"(5).
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2, He explains how growing up was and how he started witnessing more bloody brutal transaction which the masters put the slaves through, he also talked abouts their monthly and yearly benefits of food, clothing, and other supplies they gave slaves which wasnt enough at all to help them out.
Even though i really dont like discussing stories about slavery, it opens my eyes alot and make me realise that when im goin through bad situation and the i complain and mope about it, i just need to realise slaves had it worse.
I cant believe I'm doing this but i need a good grade in your class. In chapter one of Frederick Douglass it talks about the hardships and struggles the slaves had to go through. He talks where he came from and how most slaves didn't know their age. "The white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why i ought to be deprived of the same privilege."(19) Its crazy how they can just go on with life not knowing their age and its also crazy how he can estimate his age from what his maters says. I think its cruel having to live life without a mother by your side but what got to me was how he had to witness his aunt, Aunt Hester get whipped by his master. i wouldn't be able to bare-witness one of my family members getting whipped.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2, he talks about life on the plantation for slaves and what they had to do. Getting more into the chapter he gets into detail about his master and the overseers. What caught my attention in this chapter was how they would sing, "Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains"(30). I thought it was very interesting how the songs "represented sorrows of his heart"(30). Its sad to see how people can be treated like this. I don't think i can relate to this but if i was to be in a slaves shoe I probably wouldn't even want to be alive.
--Lymen Tran
Well after reading chapter one, i was intrigued to the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. In chapter one Douglass compares the slaves ignorance of there ages as horses do theirs; i see no harm in why they should know of their ages.He explains how infants are taken from their birth mothers in their first months of life and are cared for by an elder on a different plantation as so was he.i don't think its right to separate a child from his mother.the first thing a baby smells,sees,and hears is their mother and to be taken away from somewhere or something known to you is often scary.Douglass also explains in blunt details of how he witness the occasional whippings of his aunt.i could not bare to witness such cruelty done to a person let alone someone who i care for.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two Douglass explains the life,labor,and the proceeded beatings and cruelties token place on the plantations.On one occasion a woman beat a slave to death in her home and was issued a warrant for her arrest but got away wit the horrible crime.If this situation were to be the other way around the slave would most likely probably be put to immediate death or severely punish.This shows how different a crime was brought to justice or not brought to justice concidering if you a slave or a "white man".
Reading this narrative of Frederick Douglass was a drag but I did it anyway, and it was actually an interesting life story.While I was reading chapter 1 I came across an interesting line, "My mother and I were separated when I was but an infant--before I knew her as my mother".I was astonished to find out that he was separated from his mother while he was still a baby. I mean, who would separate a mother and her child?, thats just cruel.The first thing that a baby should see is his mother, his protector, and have a loving relationship but that's not the case with him.He should at least consider himself lucky to actually see his mother while she was still alive even though it was for a short time.
ReplyDeleteIt's also horrible to see the ones you love getting beaten and whipped senseless knowing that there is nothing that you can do considering that you are but a mere slave."I have often been awakened at the dawn of day by the most heart-rending shrieks of an own aunt of mine, whom he used to tie up to a joist, and whip upon her naked back till she was literally covered in blood". I would be horribly hurted and scarred for life if i witnessed someone I loved getting hurt and having me present there with no say in the matter.I wouldn't be able to handle it.
I'm actually glad I began to read this narrative. It helped me acquire a better understanding of slavery and the hardships Douglass and many others went through.It also helped me to understand that we should be more appreciative that the age of slavery is forever over and that everyone should be seen as equals so we can live in prosperity and without dehumanizing anyone.
--Wilfredo Felix
When i first purchased the book i didn't think much of it. Just another book of early U.S. History and slavery. But through the first two chapters my perseption of the book has changed. Its not neccessary what he is saying, for I knew about the cruelty of slavery, it is obvious that he is a great writer and thinker, the way he draws you to the story puts a new meaning (at lest for me) to my feeling on slavery.
ReplyDelete"To those song I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery"(26) Reffering to the songs that slaves sing.
This line gets to me, to see the perception of a slave on slavery and the way that Fredick delivers such perception allows me to imagine and almost place myself in the body of Fredrick. Not to say that i can ever feel the way he and many other slaves have felt, but the simple, truthful, and elagant way he writes makes a deeper connection with me, the audiece. Sometime while reading it hits me how difficult it must have been for a human being to be in those positions.
--Jorge Rivera.
As soon as I star reading this book I was fascinated with and I was unable to stop reading. Today I can say that this is the most fabulous book I ever had read. And that will change you thinking on slavery completely . While reading the first chapter one main idea that grabs my attention was when Frederick Douglas says “I do not remember to have ever met a slave who cold tells of his birthday.”{1}.explaining that him and his peers do not even know their ages. I think this releate to today society because there a lot of people that does not know their rights. And other people take advantage of them. Just like the immigrants who do not speak English and they are discriminated so badly .This apply to my life because when I first come to the united states some kids were making fun of me. And one day the teacher give me a paper to our home for our parents to sign I put in my backpack .saying into my mind that I will see later. Some how someone change the paper to make me a horrible joke my mom sing my paper knowing what she was sing But thanks to God my friend tell me before I was giving to my teacher. That way I believe education can prevent from this happening. the path trough succed in is trough education so you get to know your self ,you society and the world around you. Is important to know you background so you can imagine you future.
ReplyDeleteYour mama wants to get with me!
ReplyDeleteDouglass details the strategie that slaveholders used to keep their slaes in the dihumanizing condion of slavery. This was to maintain them ignorant. He refers to this idea as one of the strongest powers to keep slaves manageable since it keeps slave from knowing basic infomation that any human must know. Douglass says that igonarance is a powerful instrument of slaveholding this gives slaves a worng concept of their conditon. In the first chapter Douglass expresses "By far the largest part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know theirs, and it is the wish of most masters to keep their slaves thus ignorant." This idea represents today's society lack of action and knowlege towards global warming. Some people ignore the fact that there's such situation. This is compared to slaves thar sometimes thought slavery was a natural state of being, because they were forced into ignorance. Eventhough we're capable of changing the earth's condition we respond as ignorant people because we don't know how to do what's right therefore is a type of ignorance from us.
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ReplyDeleteLet me start off by saying " Wow!". After reading the first few sentences of chaper 1, I was amazed & stun by the life style the slaves were facing & most importantly Douglass himself. "I have no accurate knowledge of my age never having seen any authentic record containing it." Douglass lived throughout his life without knowing the real him. All he knew was he was a slave, working in a field, & locked up like a prison. Douglass impresses himself throughout chapter 1 & 2 with a frighten tone. " I Wish I could commit to paper the feeling with which i beheld it". Also throughout, I can imagine the terror Douglass have to overcome. First his mother passed away & now he knows his "Master" is actually his father. Douglass only seen her during the night then she vanish during the next morning. Slavery still affects our society & is very similar to modern places we have today. Slave were require to work free for their "Master", while in prison, prisoners were require to work without payment. " The man and women slaves received, as their monthly allowance of food, eight pounds of pork, or its equivalent in fish..." To me, this does not sound a lot, now a days during a month of payment we can support a family of food,supplies, and much more. The slave had to deal with a lot of hardship or else they get punished.
ReplyDeletea event that occurs in he first chapter is when frederick was young and had was just being introduced into the slavery world. as a small child he had to witnis his own auntie being whiped. it was a horrific event. it was his first time seing someone being whiped and the icing on the cake is that it turned out to be his auntie. he ran and hid in the closet scared. he didnt want to come out in until he knew that his aunties pain was whell and over with, including the fact that he thought he was goin to be next. he lived with his grandmother on the outskirt of the plantation so he was never exposed such violence.
ReplyDeletea way that this is present in the modern-day is that abuse. mothers are beatin, abused, and even sometimes raped. children are forced to watch helplessly as their mother endures pain. these kind of situations ocure every day. it doesnt matter weather rich, poor, balck, or white all nationalities are victims to these unfortunate situations.
As I began reading Frederick Douglass I was amazed by reading how awful life was for him. Not knowing when your birthday is, not having your family around, but worst of all not having a sense of who your family truly is, especially your mother. As I read the first few sentences of chapter one I remembered a quote from Mr. Robinson's class that said, "You have to start knowing yourself so well that you begin to know other people. A piece of us is in every person we can ever meet." - John D. MacDonald. When we discussed this quote some of us said that it is very important to know yourself completely, or else how can you be yourself with someone else. This reminded me of Douglass because in a way he was deprived from his identity. Everyone should have had and should have the right to know who they really are from day one. When I read that Douglass’ mom would walked twelve miles every night just to see him and then she would have to walk back to work, and if she didn’t make it back, her welcome wasn’t the best. This was the most cruel part of chapter one. Douglass’ mother was risking a lot by doing all of this, but she made the effort to be by her son’s side a couple of minutes. What was really depressing was that his mother died.
ReplyDeleteI’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the book, that I have to finish reading by tomorrow :/
Well Frederick Douglass's life is very harsh straight of the bat. I mean not knowing the littlest things are what affect him the most like not knowing his birthday for example, or the fact that he had no idea who was the women responsible from giving him life. Like he states in the book "Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger.” Even tho he never meet her the hardest thing for him, in my opinion was that he did not have slightest clue of who he is or were he came from. Throughout most of Douglass life he had masters that controlled every aspect of his life. So he was never really given an opportunity to figure himself out.
ReplyDeleteFrederick also talks about the way the slaves are treated in the plantations. Their way of life if you can say. He also talks abouut the overseers and makes comparisons about the masters how many of them are much alike such as their cruelty and shameless. Even the efforts the masters make to keep their slaves as ignorant as possible, because they knew that was the only way they would have control.
This is starting to seems like Frederick Douglass juust might turn the tables around.
--> Aldo Perez :]
Frederick Douglass starts his narrative placing his place of birth in Tuckahoe, Talbot county, Maryland. He doesn't know his exact age, but he guess he has 27 or 28. His mother was Harriet Bailey, he was take apart from her, so he was raised with his grandmother. He only saw her 4 or 5 times on his whole lifeand during the night so he never comunicate that much with her, when he was about seven she died. His mom was black and his dad white. A slave is given just enough food, clothing, and shelter to get by; so after a hard day they sleep on the ground. Just when he arrivals to Colonel Lloyd's plantation, Mr. Severe dies. Mr. Hopkins takes care of the slaves but he seems to be a better person than Mr. Severe.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading just these 2 chapters, I realize that in the U.S. we have so much freedom and previlleges. I guess if I was him, I wouldn't be able to handle all of the things he went through on his childhood I probably be scared of everything the whole time.
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ReplyDeleteThe Narrative life of Frederick Douglass and himself is amazing. In the very beginning of the book Frederick mentions how the slaves were very ignorant. Not because themselves as individuals wanted or decided to live that way, but because they were forced to and they did not have the law on their side for them to even have an opportunity of doing something. He describes how slaves were not aware of their own age or who their parents happened to be or anything about their life background. The information of an individual is something that is meaningful to one-self and it is important for one to know more than anything. To come across this point in history where people were kept ignorant by a human being just like them, is in-expectable and ignrant for someone to have done or keep doing.
ReplyDeleteJust like Frederick mentioned how people were kept ignorant about simple things to know, as in their age, parents, etc. Those elements of one's life are very valuable and personal for someone to know. It almost makes one feel without that information that they don't exist. "..and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant."(47) This quote I believe still applies to society today in many different ways. For example, teenagers today are not informed about the issues or related information about the family. Citizens, in America today are being kept ignorant by the government. Then there are also limits for citizens as in not being able to travel to other countries (Cuba). The government feels that some places are dangerous but then they do nothing about it to try and make the situation better. When others as citizens travel because they want to do something about it, they want to help, they want to know what is going on in other places to see how they can be that helping hand.
In the first two chapters Frederick Douglas talks about his early childhood life. In chapter one, he mentions being born in Tuckahoe, Maryland but not knowing his actual age; just an estimate of around twenty-seven twenty-eight just based on his master’s comments. To not that much of a surprise, his master ended up being his father. His mother was not at his side because of the 12-month old baby and mother split. However, he does recall seeing her about 4 times during his 7 years of age before she passed away. At the end of chapter one and throughout chapter two Frederick Douglass describes vividly of how the conditions and beatings of slaves were. He describes the beatings his aunt went through while he was still very young and how the images will never leave his mind. This is why it is crucial for a new nation to take shape quickly and effectively. Next, his second plantation takes him to a whole different world. He talks about how the slaves would rather prefer to be at the Great House Farm than in any other. This seems like it was more of privilege, or to have won an election, to be at the great house farm. Slaves would often sing songs that had mixed feeling such as sorrow and joy on their way to it. To me this was a way to relieve some inner emotions and to try to lighten their days up.
ReplyDelete--Leo Aviles [243]
after reading chapters one and two, i really didn't have any comments on the reading. Its crazy how people just because of their race were driscriminated. It was actually its was more than sad.Douglass describes incidents and life moments where he doesn't even know his own age nor his father. What surprises me the most is the fact that he says it with no sadness nor grief. I know is i was him i would be more than filled with loads of anger. Besides this event, the second thing that got me thinking was on the second chapter. This phrase said by Douglass is saying that every song written is a step forward to gaining faith "To those song I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery"(26).The slaves would sing ,i believe, to forget the fact that were slaves .By singing they would probably see themselves more as humans because the white people did it.
ReplyDeleteI personallyy am glad that Douglass went through his childhood the way he did because its because of slaves that were tortured who define the world of today. i am glad it has all ended. Because of slavery america has learned life lesons that are what define us a a UNITED nation.
-- martha araujo :]
Within the chapters one and two Douglass opened up telling us of his birth place, mother, and history. Yet in my eyes he showed how little he knew of himself. During the time of slavery, he knew very little of his age, mother, father, nor tittle. Being born in Tuckahoe, Maryland as a man of color automatically made him a slave. Although rumor was his master was his very own father, he was unaware of his family history. Douglass and his mother interacted five times at the most, all at night. He never saw his mom and her death almost missed him completely, it affected him in little to no way. Even if he was not attached to family, the brutal beating of his aunt deeply affected him. When he witnessed his aunt getting whipped he could never endure something so horrible ever again.
ReplyDeleteDouglass was put through terrible people, such as Colonel Lloyd and Mr. Severe who Douglass describes as cruel and rightfully named. Although the book is about Douglass, he was not alone. He had other slaves that went through just as much or more than he did. They sang songs that showed their depression. Their songs made no sense to anyone but those who sang it themselves. In the book, Douglass writes "Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains"(30). I believe this quote gives you the feel of the two chapters because it gives you an idea of what it felt like to be in his shoes.
In chapters one and two i think Douglas was comfortable enough to open up and share about his family and birthplace. He knew that his birthplace was in Tuckahoe, Talbot county, Maryland. Not knowing his exact age he took a guess that he was about 27 or 28. I think it was hard on him to not know how old he was or who his father was either. I'd feel alone and would probably give up in life. Throughout the chapter he finds out that his father was actually his master. His mom was wasn't around because of the 12 month old baby and was split up with his dad. To grow up without a family was no easy task for Douglas. All he had was himself. He witnessed the incidents of slaves being tortured by their masters. The slaves would usually sing to express their feelings and bond with others. “This they would sing, as a chorus, to word which to many would see unmeaning jargon, but which, nevertheless, were full of meaning to themselves”(47). I think they did this to get their minds off and release some tension. This would get their minds off the bad day for a while. Something i would do to get my mind off something bad is just hangout or walk my dog for like 20 hours. Overall, reading this makes me appreciate what i have and that slaves would kill to trade lives with me or anyone else.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOne of the topics that grab my attention was the fact that Frederick Douglass father was a white man and his mother was Harriet Bailey, a slave woman. Harriet Bailey gave birth to Frederick Douglass at Tuckanoe. Douglass was separated from his mother as an infant and was taken to an old woman who was too old for the hard field labor. It is a custom for masters to separate a slave woman from her newborn before he/she turns twelve months.
ReplyDelete“I received the tiding of her death with much the same emotion I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger” (14). When I read this sentence I was shocked because I know if I had lost my mom I would have broken down into millions of pieces. I LOVE my mom so much that losing her would be a harsh thing to me. Then again I see how Douglass had no remorse that his mother had died since the lack of communication between them and the fact that they hardly spent time together. Since Harriet Bailey lived about twelve miles away from Frederick Douglass and was not give permission by her master to visit him that made it much more difficult for her to spend time with him. Since they hardly spent time together Harriet Bailey was simply a stranger in the eyes of Frederick Douglass.
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ReplyDeleteThe thing that caught my eye the most in these two chapters was the fact that Frederick Douglass would watch the white children and see how they could tell their age but he could not and he wondered to himself why he was prohibited from this. It was the wish of the slaves masters to keep their slaves as ignorant as horses.
ReplyDeleteFar worse than this was the fact that he was cut off from his mother at such a young age that he barely knew her as a person. He would remember seeing her late at night next to him but at sunrise she was nowhere to be seen. It was this that got me thinking how unattached to the world Douglass was. When she passed away Douglass could not feel any sorrow or let out any tears because he had never been that attached to his mother and to him she felt like a stranger although she was his mother.
An interesting quote that helped me connect better to Douglass and better comprehend his story was “for a man to sell his own children to human flesh-mongers, it is often the dictate of humanity for him to do so; for, unless he does this, he must not only whip them himself, but must stand by and see one white son tie up his brother, of but few shades darker complexion than himself, and ply the gory lash to his naked back; and if he lisp one word of disapproval, it is set down to his parental partiality, and only makes a bad matter worse, both for himself and the slave whom he would protect and defend”(25) This told me that the master could not feel any compassion for the slaves unless they wanted to be punished to. Even if that was their child that they had a little more sympathy for than any other slave they forced themselves to not have an ounce of remorse for them.
- Duy Vu
ReplyDeleteThe first chapter really caught me off guard. Never in the beginning of a non-fiction autobiographical account could information of such magnitude be divulged. Douglass describes the poor treatment of slaves, how he witnessed floggings, as well as revealing that his father may have been a white man in this first chapter. What struck me as completely relateable was this quote: "It is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant." (pg. 13) And it is this quote that I would like to connect ideas upon.
In the modern world, human slavery is almost unheard of in it's purest definition. However, many forms of slavery still exist in the form of sex trafficking and opression. For instance, the women of Afghanistan during the Taliban reign (and in some regions still) were not allowed to dress the way they wanted, being restricted to strict religious attire that covered them completely. They were also forbidden from receiving education. Those who did were condemned and stoned to death. This, I believe, is a form of slavery that exists today, where peolpe are kept ignorant and bounded by their opressors.
Frederick Douglass was separated from his mother at a very young age, “my mother and I were separated when I was but an infant-before I knew her as my mother.” (17) That to me is very cruel. I can’t begin to imagine the life of a kid who isn’t with his mother. Douglass life was already difficult from the get go. I personally didn’t experience life without my mother and I don’t see how I could life like that. However, I do have something to relate to. When my brothers and I went to visit my grandparents for a week my little brother was crying every second of the day because he missed our mom. We constantly had to try and make him stop crying by doing fun things and getting his mind off of it. But that didn’t work, we ended up having to go back home early. Being separated from your mother, regardless of your age is a tough thing to do. Like they say: a mother’s love is a mother’s love. Most people believe because someone doesn’t have a parent in their life they will end up like criminals or dysfunctional. However that wasn’t the case for Frederick Douglass, who became a well known acclaimed writer.
ReplyDeletefredrick douglass was seperated from his mom at a young age. he saw her only four time and he had to sneak out at night.she would only meet him for a few minute. when I was young my dad past awzay . I never got to see him i was young so I dont even remember him.I know im different cause i didnt know my father.
ReplyDeletewhen he went to the live with his old master. he met his aunt, colonal loyd wanted to see her but she was with loyd ned . when she got back she was tied up and whip . it must be hard for fredrick to see that. it was hard for me to see my mom being teast cause she did not know english . I wanted to hurt those guy but my mom said no so I walk away.
After reading chapters 1 & 2 of the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, chapter 1 provides an enhance representation of the present-day society in life to which many of us can relate to. According to this quote, “Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of my mother’s death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger”. Base on the passage, Douglass’s master separated him from his mother soon after his birth which supports my claim that he did get the chance to develop feelings toward his mother that would create a loving bond. I can connect to this quotation because I have a friend who was born an orphan. She would move house to house in foster care. She has the same emotions of absence towards her mother just like Douglass.
ReplyDeleteThis excerpt also justifies the acts of a slaveholder. They remove a child from his biological family in order to destroy the child’s sense of personal history. In addition, adjectives like “soothing” and “tender” are used as imagination to the childhood he could have had. The relationship between his mother in his opinion is nothing more then two strangers who are struggling.
When you reading the first two chapters in the book I was amazed that Frederick Douglass father was a white man."My father was white". Knowing that he was part white Douglass a slave himself, his own master was his own father.This was an awkward relationship.This would have caused a weird tension because it would’ve been a reminder that he had sex with a colored and also had a kid.This cause Douglass to be more abused by the master than any other slaves.If others were to find out about this he'd probably be hated by other white men and be punished even more maybe even death.
ReplyDeleteI can actually relate to this kind of problem I mean even in society today some people in the world racism still goes on.People disliking others just because of there skin color.Most racial places continue in places like Louisiana and Mississippi.This also can be a marking point for people to see the judgment they are given because its bad and cause them to accept interracial marriage.This affects me because just cause im asian doesnt mean that we are not the same.
-Kissinger Nguyen
I am very shocked by what I have read in these first two chapters. Now I understand the ignorance I had in slavery. Douglas sums up how his life started and although his life sounds very depressing he seems to tell his story with ease. He was born into a world where whites were considered dominant and blacks were treated like animals. As a child I cannot imagine going through something like this, he was created by his mother and probably her white master and rarely saw his mother.
ReplyDeleteOne of the quotes that surprised me was when he said “Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger.” I personally could not imagine my life without my mother’s care and love, but he hardly received that so therefore he could not feel abandoned.
I believe that this is just the beginning for Douglas as his life is going to be shattered moment by moment. The master will have no pity for him and he will take his childhood away so he will have to become a man in order to handle any crucial situation.
-Beatriz Chavez
Slavery was just a word for many, but it meant more to those whom were involved. It mean unhappiness and confusion. Plenty of colored folks were slaves and during that term they were tormented and treated them inhumanely. In the book, he mentioned how there was many alike him that were completely clueless about their where about. Frederick Douglas was a man who grew up a slave, clueless and confused. He continues to live his oblivious life without knowing his background, his life not even his mother. . “For what this separation is done, I do not know, unless it be to hinder the development of the child’s affection towards its mother, and to blunt and story the natural affection of the mother for the child. This is the inevitable result” (12) it saddens me to make the accusation that they would be that heartless to tear the bond between mother and child but genius to the masters.
ReplyDeleteDouglas and I are no different, I can relate to his situation although not completely, I have a good understanding. He’s experienced suffering and hardships and we all at some point have too. With many things in common, who can say we’re no different than him?
Reading these first two chapters really gave me an interest in the book. I was shocked by what I read. He was brought to the world already as a slave just because of the color of his skin. If I was treated the way he was when he was a child I wouldn't survive. One of the things that surprised me the most was that he had a white father and that was his master. Since Douglass' father was his mater he would be abused more then all other slaves.If other people were to find out about that, that would probably would've made other white men mad and be punished even more maybe even death
ReplyDeleteThe first two chapters of the book "Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass," Douglass gave brief summary of his background and how slavery was. Frederick Douglass did not know his own age and he found out that his father was a Caucasian man. The chapter also explains about his family and Frederick was being separated from his mother, Harriet Bailey.
ReplyDeleteIf i was Frederick Douglass's shoe i would not know what to do, i would probably go bananas because i have no one to guild me through the things he been in. In the United States we have freedom and many privileges.
As I was reading the first two chapters of the book i was surprised how Frederick Douglass dad was a white man/master and her mother Harriet Bailey a slave women. When he was an infant Douglass got separated from his mother. He knew nothing about his age but would see the white children play and say how old they were. He got sent to an old lady because she was too old to be doing hard field labor.
ReplyDelete“Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger”. When I read this I had no words to describe what he said. He called his mom a stranger because was not close to her in any kind of way and at the end had no choice but to see her die. I would say if my mom wasn’t by my side I would be heartbroken because she’s a big part of my life. On the other hand Douglass didn’t have that chance to know his mom a little bit better and could not but help to call her a stranger.
in the story fredrick douglas talks about his chilhood experience as a slave. He talks about how he never really knew his mom how she always used to come visit him at nights and long before he was awake she was gone.After her death he really never got to meet her and he wasnt able to go to her burial. He never knew who his father was but people said it was his master.
ReplyDeleteIn chapters one and two, Douglass talks about how as a slave no one knew their name, birthday, or has ever even seen any authentic record of themselves, but once he overheard his master's conversation about how in 1835, he was about 17 years old. He was born in Tukahoe near Hillsburg and 12 miles from Easton, in Talbot county, Marylyn. Being seperated from his mother, Harriet Bailey, at a young age they had little connection with each other. In his words, "I recieved the tidings of the death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger "pg.4 , he descibes how much connection he had with his mother, that when she died he felt as if a stranger died. The only thing that Douglass knew about his dad was that he was a white man and rumor was his father was his master.
ReplyDeleteAs I read these two chapters, I realized that Frederick Douglass did know his birthplace
ReplyDeletebut not his age. He also didn’t know who his dad was; he only knew that he was a white
male. Frederick Douglass had a thought that his father was his owner and never knew if it
was true, but then figured out his dad was a slave owner. He was also separated from his mom as in infant. It was a difficult thing for Frederick to deal with. If I was in his place, I would feel alone and also have the thought of not living, or just giving up in life. Frederick had to deal with a life of no family, he was on his own, this was no easy life for Frederick Douglass. Frederick saw how many slaves were treated. I think that this made Frederick’s life more terrifying. Something that stuck to me was a quote that says “I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday,” this quote makes me feel a little upset. In my opinion, not knowing your birthday is a terrible thing. I think that in the United States there are still situations like of Frederick’s. Many people still suffer like if they were slaves.
-Sara Martinez.
When i read chapter one and two of the book. I was really amazed to see all the information that was given to us. "I recieved the tidings of her death with much the same emotions i should have probably felt at a death of a stranger" i mean hhis own mom? Even if i dind't know my mom the person who gave birth to me, i would feel a little bit more hurt then a stranger. I can compare this to foster kids of today. They probably don't care of there parents because they were abbadoned.. but i still think they should try to find a reason why before judging." He would whip her to make her scream, and whip her to make her hush. That quote really spoke to me becuase it was stupid! We can see the abuse, the inhumanity. Worst then Child Abuse.
ReplyDelete-Victor Chan
While reading these two chapters i relized that fredrick Douglas and the other slaves were treated inhuman.Fredrick introduces what slaves were like and how they all had a lack of educatioin. Not many of them knew theyre name, birthplace, family members or have ever seen a record of themselves. Also I had heard in other stories that white masters took advantage of the slave woman and made them get pregnant with theyre children and they would never claim thoose children. For example, Fredrick had a white father , he was a master , and a slave mother , Harriet Bailey. When Fredrick was a child he was seperated from his mother, in these chapters he referred to his mother as a stranger. This is amazing because atleast in my life my mother is one of my biggest role models and i dont know what i would do if she wasnt here. So having to imagine not having my mother or even calling her a stranger is extremly harsh.
ReplyDelete-Brenda Vazquez
After reading the first two chapters, the idea that I contemplated the most over was the overseers and how they treated their slaves. It was quite terrible, and although, they had the right to, I think they should have not abused their slaves. "Before he commenced whipping Aunt Hester, he took her into the kitchen, and stripped her from neck to waist, ...he commenced to lay on the heavy cowskin, and soon the warm, red blood (amid heartrendering shrieks from her, and horrid oaths from him) came dripping to the floor"(344). I realize that they have to enforce their "laws", but there are better ways of doing so. The overseer was disappointed in Aunt Hester because she was “not to go out evenings” and was warned “that she must never let him catch her in company with a young man, who was paying attention to her, belonging to Colonel Lloyd” (343). I think he could have shown discipline by taking away privileges from her, because that is what slave-owners do, they take their subjects’ privileges and break them down. He decided to do so in a cruel and brutal way. This is similar to the prison industrial complex, which I recently learned, because the prison-guards are doing the same thing to the inmates. The prison-guards are not necessarily taking away the inmates’ privileges; they did so themselves. However, the prison-guards are physically and mentally breaking down their subjects, in relation to the slave-owners, who not only deprive the slaves of their rights, but physically and mentally abuse their slaves. -- Maytin Poonsuk
ReplyDeleteI am amazed, when you start to read the book from the very beginnig in the title "The narrative life of Fredrick Douglas" it just sort of hits you, how bad slavery really is and was. The opening chapeter talks about himslef and about things that go on in plantations witht the slaves and the masters. I took this quote “Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains” (19). He was talking about the slaves, their songs and prayers. I choose this quote because is shows that all the slaves had, was themsleves, music, and god. Religion is very important to myself and i feel that no matter what situation im in, god will always be there. If i were a slave religion and family would be the only thing keeping me alive, and to slave we see that they are seperated from their families so they have to rely on religion.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how Fredrick Douglass can use certain words to capture ones thoughts. Each word in these chapters were carefully chosen and placed in this ocean of pure genius that he calls "A Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass". “A want of information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood.” (13). I chose this quote because when i was younger my mom used to confuse me and my little brother for twins because we were born on the same day. It was weird but because I wanted to be seperate from my brother I always acted older than what I was and because he wanted to be the baby he always acted younger, I guess Douglass' confusion of age to me was for the better. He doesn't have to worry about "Terrible Two's" or puberty because technically he has no idea when it is. He can focus on his life or the lack there of.
ReplyDelete