Narrative of Fredrick Douglass Reading Log

Reading Logs- The Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass 1. Review vocabulary words at the beginning of each chapter. List the words whose meanings suggest they are used by Douglass in narrative to describe the horrors of slavery. | Execrate: curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishmentPerpetrate: perform an act, usually with a negative connotationEgotistical: characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importanceSunder: break apart or in two, using violenceOdium: hate coupled with disgustDepravity: moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles | 2. How does Douglass learn the meaning of the word “abolitionist?” | He learns the meaning by reading about it in the newspaper. Pg. 55 | 3. In what way does Douglass’s career as an orator influence the way he has written this narrative? | Douglass’s career as an orator allowed him to speak publicly of abolishing slavery. That played a great role in how he wrote his book. He spoke of his sufferings and his thoughts/input on slavery and his interpretation abolishing slavery. | 4. How does Mr. Covey succeed in turning Douglass into a “brute?” How does a “root” help Douglass develop the aggressiveness necessary to resist Mr. Covey? | Mr. Covey succeeds in turning Douglass into a “brute” because he “breaks” him. Mr. Covey rids him of all hope of ever being a free man, rids him of all spark of enthusiasm and fills him with lonely despair. This “root” gives the encouragement and aggressiveness he needs to stand up and physically fight Mr. Covey and to make him aware that he will no longer be treated like a brute. Pg.80-83 | 5. Why does Douglass’ first escape attempt fail? | His first escape attempt fails because he has to give all of his money he earns that he tries to put away for himself to his master. | 6. List the qualities of a good overseer and give an example of an overseer Douglass defines as good. | Douglass describes a good