Frederick Douglass Questions and Answers

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Comprehension I

1. What prevented the slaves from knowing their birthdays?

Ans: The wish of most masters to keep their slaves ignorant.

2. How would the master look at the enquiries about the slaves’ birthday?

Ans: He would deem all such enquiries to be improper and impertinent.

3. What was whispered about Douglass’ parentage?

Ans: That his master was his father.

4. When was Douglass separated from his mother?

Ans: When he was an infant.

5. Douglass’ mother was able to meet him only at

Ans: night.

6. What was the penalty to the field hand for not being in the field at sunrise?

Ans: A whipping was the penalty.

7. How old was Douglass when he lost his mother?

Ans: He was about seven years old.

8. Name the person who was believed to be both Douglass’ father and master.

Ans: Captain Anthony

9. What was Mr. Plummer ?

Ans: He was an overseer.

II.

1. Why wasn’t Douglass affected much by his mother’s death?

Ans: Douglass in his “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” recounts the moments from his miserable childhood. Especially, one about his separation from his mother is very moving. For a child, the initial years of childhood are very important in mother’s nourishment, care, love and bonding. But, Frederick was separated from his mother when he was just an infant. He sadly says, that was a common custom in that part of Maryland from where he ran away. This was to hinder the development of the child’s affection toward its mother. He never saw his mother. He didn’t remember seeing his mother by the light of day. She was with him in the night. She would get him to sleep, but she would be gone before he woke up. There was very little communication between them. He never enjoyed her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care. Under these circumstances Douglass received the tidings of his mother’s death with much the same emotions. So, he was not affected.

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