Autobiography of Frederick Douglass

Tuckahoe

A place near Hillsborough, about twelve miles from Easton, in Talbot county, Maryland where the narrator was born.

Ignorance of Age

Most slaves, including the narrator, were kept unaware of their own ages, often compared to horses.

Harriet Bailey

The name of the narrator's mother, who was separated from him as an infant.

Abolitionist

A person who advocates for the abolition of slavery;

Colonel Lloyd

The owner of the plantation where the narrator worked, known for having a large number of slaves.

Mr. Plummer

The overseer responsible for the cruel treatment of slaves on Colonel Lloyd's plantation.

Overseer

A person appointed to supervise and manage the work of the slaves on the plantation.

Demby

A slave who was shot and killed by Mr. Gore for refusing to come out of a creek during punishment.

Great House Farm

The main plantation of Colonel Lloyd, where slaves received monthly food allowances and clothing.

A, B, C

The letters that the narrator learned first when his mistress began teaching him to read and write.

Unmanageable

A term used by slaveholders to describe slaves who resisted authority or punishment.

A, B, C

The letters that the narrator learned first when his mistress began teaching him to read and write.

Mr. Hugh Auld

The brother-in-law of the narrator's master who he was sent to live with in Baltimore.

Mush

A coarse corn meal dish that was part of the slaves' food allowance.

Cruel Mistress

Mrs. Hamilton, known for her abusive treatment of slaves, particularly Mary and Henrietta.

Fells Point

The location in Baltimore where the narrator was sent to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld.

Abolition

The act of ending a system, practice, or institution; commonly referred to as the ending of slavery.

Literacy

The ability to read and write, which slaves were often denied as a means of control.

Chattel

An item of personal, movable property; in slavery, it referred to enslaved individuals treated as property.

Whipping

A common form of punishment for slaves, often used to maintain control and instill fear.

Plantation

Large agricultural estates where slaves were forced to labor, often with brutal conditions.

Knowledge

The understanding of facts and information acquired through experience or education; valued but dangerous for slaves.

Aesthetic Identity

A term referring to how both slaves and slaveholders viewed and presented themselves based on beauty, strength, and social status.

Dueling Genders

The portrayal of relationships between enslaved men and women who suffered under the oppressive system.

Survival Strategies

The various ways in which slaves adapted and resisted their conditions, including forming friendships and learning to read.

Baltimore

The city where the narrator believed he would find greater opportunities and freedoms.

Emancipation

The process of being freed from legal, social, or political restrictions; often associated with ending slavery.

Resistance

The act of opposing or standing up against someone or something; in context, slaves resisting their oppression.

Aunt Hester

Aunt Hester, the narrator's relative who suffered harsh punishment for disobedience.

Smith's Wharf

The docking area in Baltimore where the narrator arrived after leaving Colonel Lloyd's plantation.

Life Expectancy

The average period that a person may expect to live; notably limited for slaves in the antebellum United States.

Updated Identity

The evolution of personal identity based on lived experiences, particularly within the context of slavery.

Continuity of Care

The continuity of emotional and physical care that was often disrupted in the lives of enslaved children.

Social Dynamics

The interaction patterns, behaviors, and relationships between enslaved individuals and their enslavers.

Hope for Freedom

The persistent longing for liberation that characterized many enslaved peoples' experiences.

Emotional Isolation

The disconnection felt by individuals in oppressive systems; experienced by the narrator in regard to family and love.

Cultural Expression

The means through which enslaved people communicated emotions and narratives, often seen in their songs.

Dehumanization

The process of depriving a person of human qualities, often seen in the treatment of slaves.

Half-Cent Worth

A colloquial expression reflecting the cheapness and devaluation of enslaved lives, particularly in terms of punishment.

Cultivation

The act of growing crops; refers to agricultural practices on plantations where slaves worked.

Human Rights

The basic rights and freedoms entitled to all individuals; often denied to slaves.

Fiendish Barbarity

Extreme cruelty, experienced under the oversight of inhumane slaveholders.

Unrest in Slavery

The internal and external conflicts that arose from the injustices of the institution of slavery.

Social Hierarchy

The ranking of individuals within a society, which determined their access to rights and freedoms.