Assignment task: Draw upon Frederick Douglass's short autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass:
Question 1: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is an autobiography, which means it was written by the person who is the subject of the book, in this case Frederick Douglass. What are the advantages of an autobiography as an historical document? What are the disadvantages of an autobiography as an historical document? Give an example of each from The Narrative.
Question 2: What were some of the challenges Douglass faced in learning to read and write? What role did literacy and education play in his life? Give two examples from The Narrative.
Question 3: What effect did witnessing violence have upon Douglass as a child? As a young man, which experiences do you think shaped him most profoundly, and why?
Question 4: According to Douglass, a slave holder who was not religious was "truly a great advantage" to the enslaved. What do you think he meant by that? Given the emphasis upon religion at this time, why do you think he wrote that?
Question 5: How does Douglass describe the impact of the death of a slave holder upon the lives of the enslaved? Upon Douglass's life in particular?
Question 6: If you could transport back in time and meet Frederick Douglass, what would you ask him and why? What might you tell him, and why?