The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Discussion Questions
1. The Preface includes texts by William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips. What is their
purpose?
As a slave, Douglass's credibility was often questioned by reviewers. Antebellum slaves’
narratives often faced a test of their accuracy. Many events of Douglass's narrative would
face scrutiny. Thus, noted white abolitionists Garrison and Phillips were recruited by
Douglass to add a preface and a letter; their doing so added legitimacy and credibility to
the narrative. Both men were prominent abolitionists active in the American Anti-Slavery
Society.
2. How would you identify the genres of these two Preface texts? What difference does
genre make in texts that have a similar purpose? Which one is more effective, in your
view?
I would identify the genres of these two preface texts as rhetorical and book review.
Garrison uses rhetorical strategy in his text to weigh on the reader’s emotional and
thought processes in order to endorse and bring credit to Douglass’ story. While on the
other hand Phillips use a technique of giving almost a review of what Douglass would be
saying in his story. By doing this Phillips’ would bring credit to Douglass’ story because
they shared the same views. The more effective genre in my point of view is rhetorical
strategy, because someone can give facts all day on a debate but that does not mean he
will be persuading people. I find in my life that most people are more easily persuaded by
emotion than facts.
3. How does the distinction between human and animal appear in each of the two Preface
documents?
In both prefaces, the writers emphasize how institutionalized oppression can adversely
affect any human being. They explain how slavery cripples the intellect of African
Americans and how they are not born unintelligent but are deprived of their human
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-17-2023 08:51:52 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/30449215/Frederick-Douglas-Assignmentdocx/
, rights. They say that slaves are humans and should not be treated as animals that need
taken care of. Thus, the reason why both men believe the abolitionist movement is
fortunate to have Douglass, a man who has lived through harsh slavery but was still able
to hold onto his intellect.
4. The first chapter concerns Douglass’ birth, childhood, and relations. How are women
represented in this chapter?
In this chapter, Douglass explains how female slaves were susceptible to harsh brutality
by slave owners. He depicts this through his initial story of his birth; he was born to an
enslaved female who was raped by her white master. He then continues to depict this
through his story of how he had to often watch and not be able to stop the harsh beating
of Aunt Hester by Captain Anthony. Douglass represents women in a way that shows how
much they were dehumanized day in and day out by white masters.
5. What are the consequences of slave-holding men having sex with enslaved women who
then bear their children? Why is this feature of slavery significant to Douglass and for the
autobiography?
The consequences of slave-holding men having sex with enslaved women and
impregnating them often hit hard on the offspring more than anyone else. The mixed
children would be abandoned to slavery by their white fathers and are often sold off to
other masters, for they are living reminders of the white fathers’ infidelity. The children
are dehumanized by ripping them from their mothers at birth, preventing of them of
familial bonds. They are also dehumanized by never being told of their birthdates in
return they never know their true age. This feature of slavery is significant to Douglass
and his autobiography because he was the product of an enslaved woman being raped. In
return, from the beginning he was given the fate of never making but he did not let this
affect him. He uses to show how harsh and inhumane slavery is.
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-17-2023 08:51:52 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/30449215/Frederick-Douglas-Assignmentdocx/
1. The Preface includes texts by William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillips. What is their
purpose?
As a slave, Douglass's credibility was often questioned by reviewers. Antebellum slaves’
narratives often faced a test of their accuracy. Many events of Douglass's narrative would
face scrutiny. Thus, noted white abolitionists Garrison and Phillips were recruited by
Douglass to add a preface and a letter; their doing so added legitimacy and credibility to
the narrative. Both men were prominent abolitionists active in the American Anti-Slavery
Society.
2. How would you identify the genres of these two Preface texts? What difference does
genre make in texts that have a similar purpose? Which one is more effective, in your
view?
I would identify the genres of these two preface texts as rhetorical and book review.
Garrison uses rhetorical strategy in his text to weigh on the reader’s emotional and
thought processes in order to endorse and bring credit to Douglass’ story. While on the
other hand Phillips use a technique of giving almost a review of what Douglass would be
saying in his story. By doing this Phillips’ would bring credit to Douglass’ story because
they shared the same views. The more effective genre in my point of view is rhetorical
strategy, because someone can give facts all day on a debate but that does not mean he
will be persuading people. I find in my life that most people are more easily persuaded by
emotion than facts.
3. How does the distinction between human and animal appear in each of the two Preface
documents?
In both prefaces, the writers emphasize how institutionalized oppression can adversely
affect any human being. They explain how slavery cripples the intellect of African
Americans and how they are not born unintelligent but are deprived of their human
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-17-2023 08:51:52 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/30449215/Frederick-Douglas-Assignmentdocx/
, rights. They say that slaves are humans and should not be treated as animals that need
taken care of. Thus, the reason why both men believe the abolitionist movement is
fortunate to have Douglass, a man who has lived through harsh slavery but was still able
to hold onto his intellect.
4. The first chapter concerns Douglass’ birth, childhood, and relations. How are women
represented in this chapter?
In this chapter, Douglass explains how female slaves were susceptible to harsh brutality
by slave owners. He depicts this through his initial story of his birth; he was born to an
enslaved female who was raped by her white master. He then continues to depict this
through his story of how he had to often watch and not be able to stop the harsh beating
of Aunt Hester by Captain Anthony. Douglass represents women in a way that shows how
much they were dehumanized day in and day out by white masters.
5. What are the consequences of slave-holding men having sex with enslaved women who
then bear their children? Why is this feature of slavery significant to Douglass and for the
autobiography?
The consequences of slave-holding men having sex with enslaved women and
impregnating them often hit hard on the offspring more than anyone else. The mixed
children would be abandoned to slavery by their white fathers and are often sold off to
other masters, for they are living reminders of the white fathers’ infidelity. The children
are dehumanized by ripping them from their mothers at birth, preventing of them of
familial bonds. They are also dehumanized by never being told of their birthdates in
return they never know their true age. This feature of slavery is significant to Douglass
and his autobiography because he was the product of an enslaved woman being raped. In
return, from the beginning he was given the fate of never making but he did not let this
affect him. He uses to show how harsh and inhumane slavery is.
This study source was downloaded by 100000858936669 from CourseHero.com on 01-17-2023 08:51:52 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/30449215/Frederick-Douglas-Assignmentdocx/
