Ch. 1-2 The narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglas

Harriet Bailey (Character 1)

Darker complexion than her grandmother and grandmother. He didn’t know her much and only saw her 4-5 times for a short period of time. She seemed caring this is because she would lie down with him to get him to sleep even though she was supposed to be on the plantation at night.

Captain Anthony (Character 2)

Was not a humane slaveholder. One of two of his slaveholders.

Plummer (Character 3)

The overseer for Captain Anothony. Frederick described him as a miserable drunkard, a profane swearer, and a savage monster.

Aunt Hester (Character 4)

“She was a women of noble form, and of graceful proportions, having very few equals, and fewer superiors, in personal appearance, among the colored or white women of our neighborhood.”

Tuckahoe, Maryland (Setting 1)

Frederick was born here.

Home plantation of Colonel Edward Lloyd (Setting 2)

Frederick spent to years of his childhood on this plantation. and this is where he witnessed the bloody transaction that occurred in chapter 1. 12 miles west of Easton in Talbot County and is situated on the border of Miles River. 

Frederick was born and separated from his mother (Plot 1)

Soon after his mother gave birth to him they were separated and lived on plantations 12 miles away from each other. He was separated from her as an infant before he knew her as his mother.

Frederick’s mom died (Plot 2)

She died when he was about seven years old on one of his master’s farms. He was not allowed to visit her while she was sick or when she died or when she was buried. “I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably felt at the death of a stranger.

The first time Frederick was whipped (Plot 3)

“It struck me with awful force. It was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was a most terrible spectacle. I wish I could commit to paper the feelings with which I beheld it.

Frederick’s Aunt was punished (Plot 4)

Aunt Hester was caught going out at night after she was ordered by her master not to. Her master then stripped her of her clothes and tied her hands up high enough so that her toes were barely touching the floor. She was then gruesomely punished by her master and was dripping blood.

Slaves necessities (Plot 5)

Frederick explains how each year slaves will get their supplies that have to last them the whole year such as minimal food and clothing. Kids are given little to no clothes for the whole year even for the harsh weather.

The effect of knowledge (Theme 1)

Frederick struggles with the idea of how slaves are actually treated and having the knowledge of how masters punish their slaves. An example of this would be when he witnesses his aunt get punished and mentions that he never saw it happen. but this idea of having knowledge is also contradicting. there is some knowledge such as how old he was that he wishes he knew but doesn’t because he doesn’t know when his birthday was.

The first punishment (Conflict 1)

“I was doomed to be a witness and a participant.” This event helped shape how he felt about slavery and what he thought it was at a young age. “I never shall forget it.” 

Being separated from his mom (Conflict 2)

At a young age he was separated from his mom and his dad was a white slave owner. He hears whispers that his dad is his slave owner which creates internal conflict. Because of being separated from his mom at a young age he didn’t have a relationship with her or a relationship with either of his parents.

The Great House Farm (Plot 6)

Last thing he mentions is chapter 2. This is the first plantation where he fully experiences what its like to be a slave.