5-6: Race and Gender, Fredrick Douglass (1845) Flashcards
What is the name of Frederick Douglass’ book?
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
What are the key points of Frederick Douglass’ narrative (6, in order)?
- Born, doesn’t know his age
- Whipping of Aunt Hester
- Slaves singing
- Learning to read and write (Mr Auld doesn’t like this)
- Douglass’ time with Covey, loses and then finds himself
- Final chapter, gasses himself (‘my escape, for which I alone am responsible’)
Where was Douglass born and what’s sad about his life growing up
Maryland
Didn’t know his age, but white kids did
What women were presented in the text? And what happened to them?
Aunt Hester –> Stripped and then whipped
Caroline –> Made to be a breeder for Covey
What did Mr Auld say about education?
‘If you teach a slave to read, there would be no keeping him’
How is Douglass’ fight with Covey presented?
As an epic tale of masculinity
What does Douglass say at the end of his story? What is wrong with this, and why does he say it?
‘My escape, for which I alone am responsible for’
He got help from different people along the way, but it presents him as more masculine
What does Bell Hooks say about the relationship between male and female slaves? How is this seen in Douglass’ narrative?
“The subjugation of black women was essential to the black male’s development of a positive self-concept”
The women in Douglass’ narrative seen as helpless, sexual victims, whereas Douglass presents himself as masculine
Who did Douglass get help from, but didn’t receive recognition?
His free wife, Anna Murray, who gave him money from her savings to escape
What is the name of Frederick Douglass’ other book?
My Bondage and My Freedom
Famous quote by Fredrick Douglass in his narrative
‘You have seen how a man was made a slave, you shall see how a slave was made a man’
When did Douglass’ narrative get revived? Why did this happen (2 reasons)?
1950s and 60s (Civil Rights)
- Feminist critics started looking at Douglass’ portrayal of women
- Civil Rights defence against Sambo theory in minstrel shows–> Slave is dumb and obedient (Douglass narrative shows otherwise)
How do we know Douglass is telling the truth? (3 answers)
A.C.C. Thompson’s letter to Douglass –> He admits to knowing Mr Auld
Subaltern History
Other Slave Narratives with similar horrible experiences (e.g., Harriet Jacobs)
What does John Hansen say about Douglass’ identity
Douglass’ identity emerges as he masters language throughout the chapters
Who says ‘Douglass’ identity emerges as he masters language throughout the chapters’
John Hansen
