The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Chapters 1-2 - Luke Boyle

Frederick Douglass

narrator, smart, observant, and separated from his mother very young

Harriet Bailey

Douglass’s mother, loving, determined, and died young

Captain Anthony

Douglass’s first master, cruel, and the overseer of the plantation

Aunt Hester

Douglass’s aunt, attractive, positive, and was brutally whipped by Captain Anthony

Early 1800s

years weren’t as remembered back then and was a huge time of slavery

Tuckahoe, Maryland

harsh conditions in the south and plantation systems

Internal Conflict

Douglass doesn’t know his age or backstory which is Man vs. Self and not resolved because people didn’t keep track of time well

External Conflict

Douglass witnesses Captain Anthony whipping Aunt Hester which is Man vs. Society and not resolved because the captain has all the control

Theme

enslaved people being dehumanized and how families are separated and don’t have identities

Separation from his Mother

Douglass was separated from his mom, Harriet Bailey, and shows how families are destroyed through slavery

Witnessing Aunt Hester’s Whipping

Douglass sees Captain Anthony brutally whip Aunt Hester and shows the theme of violence and control

Douglass not Knowing his Age

Douglass doesn’t ever know his age which shows dehumanization towards blacks as whites do know their ages

Confusion About his Father

Douglass thinks his father might be his white master and introduces conflict and power

Plantation Life

Douglass explains the harsh conditions and lack of food which shows how within slavery, they were suffering and not doing well

Singing on the Plantation

Douglass explains how the slaves sing because of sadness not happiness which shoes the theme of suffering and pain