Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Summary
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Here you will find a Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass summary (Frederick Douglass's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Summary Overview
Born a slave sometime around 1817 or 1818, the protagonist's early life is marked by hardship and uncertainty. His birth mother, Harriet Bailey, is separated from him early on, and it is presumed that his father is their white master, Captain Anthony. Captain Anthony serves Colonel Lloyd, a wealthy man who possesses several plantations and enslaves hundreds. The conditions on these plantations are abysmal. Working tirelessly until exhaustion, the slaves are given meagre meals, minimal clothing, and no proper sleeping arrangements. Punishments are severe and often meted out arbitrarily by plantation overseers, Mr. Severe and Mr. Austin Gore. Although he is a slave, his younger years are not as challenging as most. Working in the household rather than the fields, he is later handed over to Hugh Auld of Baltimore. The city's social dynamics are different, and slaves generally enjoy a slightly better life. Hugh's wife Sophia, not accustomed to owning slaves, initially treats him kindly and even begins to teach him to read. However, following her husband's disapproval - arguing that education would make slaves rebellious - Sophia stops teaching him and gradually becomes cruel. Despite the increasing hostility, he manages to educate himself further with the help of local boys, grows aware of the abolitionist movement, and vows to escape to the North. Following the death of Captain Anthony and his heirs, he is returned to Thomas Auld who leases him to Edward Covey, notorious for "breaking" slaves. In six months, Covey succeeds in reducing him to a state of physical and mental exhaustion, almost extinguishing his desire for freedom. However, after fighting back against Covey, he regains his spirit and determination. After his time with Covey, he is rented to William Freeland, who treats him more fairly. Here, he educates other slaves, and despite the risk of punishment, many attend his classes. After a failed escape attempt, he is sent back to Baltimore to learn ship caulking. Accumulating some savings, he manages to escape to New York, changes his name to protect his identity, and marries a free woman named Anna Murray. In Massachusetts, he passionately engages with the abolitionist movement as both a writer and speaker.
chapter 1
Born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland, Douglass was uncertain of his birth year, a common predicament for slaves. He guessed he was born around 1818, based on an offhand remark from his master. His mother, Harriet Bailey, was torn from him in his infancy, a tactic used by slave owners to sever familial bonds. Douglass saw her infrequently and her death when he was approximately seven left him largely unmoved. Douglass's father was a white man, rumored to be his master, a common occurrence due to the sexual exploitation of enslaved women by their owners. This resulted in an increase in mixed-race slaves, a situation that worsened their plight as they often faced hostility from the slaveholder’s wife and were frequently sold off. Douglass argued this contradicted the claims used to justify slavery about the alleged inferiority of Africans. Douglass's first owner, Captain Anthony, was a harsh man, as was his overseer, Mr. Plummer, who was known for his violent punishments. Douglass vividly remembered the brutal whipping of his Aunt Hester by the Captain, which served as his first encounter with the true horrors of slavery. A particularly horrifying incident involved Aunt Hester being whipped by the Captain for disobeying his orders and meeting with a fellow slave, Ned. The Captain had a sexual interest in Hester, and the violence of his reaction terrified young Douglass, who hid away, hoping to avoid a similar fate.
chapter 2
Captain Anthony, Douglass's owner, lives with his two sons, Andrew and Richard, and daughter, Lucretia, who is married to Captain Thomas Auld, on a main plantation owned by Colonel Lloyd. Anthony oversees all of Lloyd’s operations, including the cultivation of tobacco, corn, and wheat. The commodities are transported and traded in Baltimore by Anthony and his son-in-law, Captain Auld. Colonel Lloyd enslaves roughly 300 to 400 individuals. They collect their monthly food allowances and yearly linen clothing from Lloyd’s central plantation. Despite the harsh living conditions, their fatigue from labor makes them numb to discomfort. The harsh overseer of Anthony’s farm, Mr. Severe, is replaced by the less brutal Mr. Hopkins after his death. The central plantation, where Douglass was raised, is referred to as the “Great House Farm” by those enslaved by Lloyd. It is seen as a privilege to be sent there on an errand. Douglass draws parallels between these individuals and proud state representatives serving in Congress. The enslaved individuals would often sing enigmatic yet emotive songs while traveling to the Great House Farm. Douglass didn't grasp the deeper meaning of these songs during his time in chains, but now realizes they were expressing the pain of enslavement. His understanding of the evil of slavery began while listening to these poignant melodies. He refutes the northern belief that the songs reflect the happiness of the enslaved.
chapter 3
Douglass continues his account of life on Colonel Lloyd's plantation, focusing on the large, attractive garden Lloyd maintains. The garden attracts visitors from across Maryland, but enslaved individuals who yield to the temptation of its fruit are met with harsh punishment. Lloyd applies tar on the surrounding fence and severely punishes anyone found tainted with tar. Lloyd also owns a remarkable stable headed by two enslaved individuals, Barney and his son, also named Barney. Despite the stablemen's limited control over the horses, Lloyd's strict demands often results in them getting whipped for minor issues. The enslaved people are expected to remain silent and submissive, leading to incidents like Barney receiving more than thirty lashes without protesting. These punishments are typically carried out by Lloyd's sons or sons-in-law. Lloyd's affluence has resulted in a situation where he doesn't even recognize some of the individuals he enslaves. Douglass recounts an incident where Lloyd unknowingly queries an enslaved man about his living conditions. Unaware that he was speaking to Lloyd, the man complains about his harsh treatment, leading to him being sold to a Georgia slave trader as retribution for his honesty. Douglass goes on to state that fear of punishment compels many enslaved people to express satisfaction with their living conditions if questioned. They often argue about the kindness of their masters, even when the truth is far from it.
chapter 4
Mr. Hopkins, the second overseer at Captain Anthony's plantation, is dismissed and replaced by Mr. Austin Gore. Gore is unforgiving and tyrannical, showing no mercy to the slaves. He often instigates conflict just to penalize them. His harsh rule is absolute on the Great House Farm, forcing all slaves to submit, while he willingly answers to the Colonel. Contrary to other overseers, Gore maintains a serious demeanor and metes out brutal punishments effortlessly. During one instance, Gore flogs a slave named Demby who seeks relief from the pain in a nearby creek. Demby's refusal to emerge from the water results in Gore shooting him after a three-count warning. Gore justifies his action by asserting that Demby was a negative influence on other slaves. Despite committing murder, Gore never faces any legal consequences. Ironically, his efficiency as an overseer earns him respect. Douglass recounts other similar brutalities. For instance, Mr. Thomas Lanman of Maryland openly brags about killing two slaves without any legal repercussions. In another case, a slaveholder's wife murders Douglass's wife's cousin using a stick. Though a warrant is issued for her arrest, it is never executed. In a separate incident, an enslaved man belonging to Colonel Lloyd is shot and killed by Mr. Beal Bondly for fishing on his property. The Colonel does not protest Bondly's action.
chapter 5
As a child, Douglass is spared field duties due to his age. He has some leisure and is often tasked to accompany Colonel’s grandson, Daniel, on hunting trips. This arrangement works to his advantage as Daniel grows fond of him. But life is difficult. The only clothing for enslaved children is a long linen shirt, and in the biting cold of winter, his feet get so cracked he could stick a pen into the wounds. Feeding is a survival-of-the-fittest affair, as they all scramble to eat corn mush from a communal trough. When Douglass turns seven or eight, he is chosen to move to Baltimore to live with Hugh Auld, a relative of Captain Anthony. Excited to leave the plantation, he spends three days cleaning himself up and is rewarded with his first-ever trousers. He neither feels sad about leaving the plantation nor has any family ties or a sense of belonging. His expectations of his new home are minimal, as he feels the conditions there cannot be worse than those he has already endured. The stories of the city of Baltimore's beauty from his cousin Tom gives him hope. Upon his departure, Douglass takes one last look at Colonel Lloyd’s plantation. He sails to Baltimore on a Saturday morning. Their first stop is Annapolis, which impresses him by its size. In retrospect, though, Northern industrial cities dwarf it. They arrive in Baltimore on Sunday morning, where he is warmly welcomed by Mrs. Sophia Auld, her husband, Hugh Auld, and their son, Thomas Auld, his new master. Douglass attributes his move to Baltimore to fate. He is of the firm belief that had he not left Colonel Lloyd’s plantation, he would still be enslaved. He admits this idea might seem superstitious or self-absorbed, but he cannot shake it off. From a young age, Douglass always had a feeling he wouldn't remain enslaved forever. This belief gave him hope during tough times and he sees it as a divine gift.
chapter 6
Douglass is taken aback by the unexpected kindness of his new owner, Sophia Auld. Having never owned a slave, Mrs. Auld is initially free from the negative effects of slavery. Contrary to other white women, she doesn't require Douglass's submission nor punishes him for maintaining eye contact. However, as time passes, the toxic environment of slaveholding transforms Mrs. Auld's kindness into cruelty, radically altering her character. Upon Douglass's arrival at the Auld residence, Sophia starts teaching him the alphabet and some basic words. When Hugh Auld discovers this, he hastily puts an end to her efforts, arguing that education spoils slaves and renders them difficult to manage. Eavesdropping on their conversation, Douglass gains a crucial insight into the tactics employed by white men to perpetuate slavery and realizes what he needs to do to achieve his freedom. Surprisingly, he is grateful for this knowledge and credits Hugh Auld for his enlightenment. Slaves in the city generally have more liberties compared to those working on plantations. City slave owners are cautious about appearing cruel or negligent towards their slaves to maintain a favorable impression among white non-slaveholders. Nevertheless, there are exceptions. The Hamiltons, who live nearby the Aulds, horribly abuse their two enslaved girls, Henrietta and Mary, leaving them emaciated and disfigured from regular beatings. Douglass himself observes Mrs. Hamilton's ruthless behavior towards the girls.
chapter 7
Douglass stays with Hugh Auld's family for an approximate seven years, during which he learns to read and write, regardless of Mrs. Auld's hardened attitude and refusal to continue his tutoring. Her transformation into a harsh, cruel person is a result of slavery's deplorable influence. Despite her abandonment, Douglass, already acquainted with alphabets, is steadfast in his journey to read. He trades bread with local impoverished boys for reading lessons. He admits that while he feels an urge to acknowledge these boys, he refrains to safeguard them from the repercussions of educating a Black individual. When he is about twelve, he stumbles upon a book, The Columbian Orator, which has a dialogue between an enslaved person and a master. The book helps Douglass form a strong argument against slavery, but also contributes to his growing resentment towards his masters. This conflict within him causes intense despair and regret. His knowledge of the unfairness of his situation intensifies his dissatisfaction as predicted by Hugh Auld, with no escape route in sight, leading him to a phase of severe despair. Douglass shows interest in any discussion about slavery during this time, and often hears the term “abolitionist.” Reading about a Northern abolitionist petition in a local newspaper, he comprehends that it implies “anti-slavery.” Around the same time, Douglass assists two Irish sailors at the dock, who suggest he escape to the North when they learn about his lifelong enslavement. He does not react to their suggestion fearing a trap, as white men are notorious for tricking slaves into escape only to recapture them for rewards. However, their proposition plants the idea of escape in his mind. Simultaneously, Douglass starts his journey to learn to write. He learns to make letters by observing ship carpenters inscribe on lumber and practices on city fences, walls, and ground. He engages local boys in writing contests, learns from their writing, and soon manages to copy from a dictionary. When left alone in the house, he uses Thomas Auld's old unused copybooks to practice writing, eventually mastering the skill.
chapter 8
During his initial years in Baltimore, Frederick Douglass' old master, Captain Anthony, passes away. Douglass, who is about ten or eleven years old at the time, is sent back to the plantation for valuation along with the other enslaved individuals and livestock. These assets are to be divided between Captain Anthony's surviving children, Mrs. Lucretia Auld and Andrew Anthony. Douglass is fearful of leaving Baltimore as he is aware that life on the plantation is harsher. The process of valuing the enslaved individuals is degrading, as they are examined in the same way as livestock. The slaves are filled with anxiety, knowing that they will be separated without regard to their relationships. They all fear becoming the property of Master Andrew, who is known for his cruelty and alcoholism. Douglass himself has witnessed Master Andrew brutally kick his younger brother. However, Douglass is allocated to Mrs. Lucretia Auld, who sends him back to Baltimore. Shortly after his return, both Mrs. Lucretia and Master Andrew pass away, and the Anthony family's property is transferred to strangers. None of the slaves are freed upon the deaths of their masters, including Douglass' elderly grandmother who is abandoned in a woodland hut, too old to work. Douglass laments her tragic fate. Around two years following Mrs. Lucretia Auld's death, her spouse, Thomas Auld, remarries. After a disagreement with his brother, Hugh, Thomas retrieves Douglass as a form of punishment. While Douglass is not upset about leaving Hugh and Sophia Auld due to their increasing vices, he is sad to leave his local friends who have been his teachers. As Douglass travels from Baltimore to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, he carefully notes the ship routes heading north to Philadelphia, vowing to escape at the first chance he gets.
chapter 9
Douglass settles at Thomas Auld's home in March 1832 and is met with harsh conditions due to the inadequacy of food provisions. He, his sister Eliza, his aunt Priscilla, and a woman named Henny are all working in the kitchen. They often resort to begging or stealing food from others as the Aulds allow food to rot in their storehouse. Thomas Auld, not a born slave owner, but one who acquired slaves through marriage, is infamous for his cruelty and inconsistency. His staunch religious beliefs, adopted after attending a Methodist camp meeting in August 1832, amplifies his harshness. Although there are some religious community members like Mr. Wilson who are compassionate to slaves, Auld leverages his religion to bolster his cruelty. In order to get a decent meal, Douglass occasionally lets Auld's horse escape to a nearby farm, then retrieves it while enjoying a full meal there. After several such instances, Auld leases Douglass to Edward Covey for a year. Covey is known for taming rebellious slaves while exploiting their free labor. Despite being aware of Covey’s malign reputation, Douglass is hopeful of receiving adequate food there.
chapter 10
Douglass begins work on Covey's farm in January 1833, where he is forced to work the fields for the first time, which includes handling unruly oxen. Covey punishes Douglass frequently for his perceived clumsiness. The enslaved individuals Covey keeps have to work in the fields throughout the day, only taking short breaks for meals. Covey has a habit of spying on his workers and catches them off guard, which leads them to nickname him "the snake." Covey's apparent piety is merely a facade to hide his sinful actions like adultery. He keeps a woman named Caroline to procreate and birth more slaves for him. Douglass remembers these initial six months with Covey as being the hardest time of his life, as he is worn down by back-breaking work, constant punishment, and exhaustion. Covey's house overlooks the Chesapeake Bay, where Douglass sees sailing ships, symbols of freedom that painfully remind him of his own servitude. He contemplates suicide and even killing Covey but is held back by a mix of hope and fear. He decides to run away. After an incident where Covey physically assaults him, Douglass escapes to Thomas Auld's house to complain about the mistreatment. But Auld sends him back to Covey. Upon his return, Covey tries to whip Douglass again, but he manages to escape and hide in a cornfield. In the woods, he meets Sandy Jenkins, another enslaved man, who advises Douglass to carry a magical root that would supposedly protect him from the beatings. Douglass decides to fight back when Covey attempts to tie him up. After a two-hour-long struggle, Douglass manages to scare Covey off. Covey never touches him again. This resistance revives Douglass's spirit and determination to be free. Douglass spends the following year with Mr. William Freeland, who treats him better than Covey did. Douglass successfully stirs an interest for learning among his fellow slaves and secretly opens a school for them, despite the danger. However, his desire for freedom intensifies during his time with Freeland. He plans an escape with Henry and John Harris, Henry Bailey, and Charles Roberts but on the day of the planned escape, they get caught and are imprisoned. Douglass is identified as the ringleader and is sent back to Baltimore with Hugh Auld. Douglass is apprenticed to a shipbuilder named William Gardner, where he is mistreated and harassed by white apprentices. One day, four of them attack him, causing an injury to his eye. When he complains to Hugh Auld, they consult a lawyer, but are told a warrant cannot be issued without a white man's testimony. Douglass later becomes an apprentice at Hugh Auld's shipyard, where he quickly masters caulking and earns the highest wage, which he has to hand over to Auld.
chapter 11
Douglass clarifies that his final chapter doesn't outline his escape from slavery, as he doesn't want to expose potential escape routes to slaveholders. He hopes they will live in fear of their slaves absconding. In 1838, Douglass objects to giving all his earnings to Hugh Auld, who sometimes returns a fraction of it, further validating Douglass's entitlement to his wages. When Thomas Auld visits Baltimore, Douglass requests permission to find his own job, but Thomas Auld denies this, fearing Douglass might run away. Hugh Auld, however, agrees to Douglass's request, provided he pays Auld three dollars every week for his own necessities. Despite the harsh conditions, Douglass is eager to experience some freedom. For four months, Douglass employs himself and pays Hugh Auld weekly. When Douglass is late with his payment one Saturday, Auld snatches the privilege away, fearing Douglass's escape. Douglass decides that he will escape on the third of September, working hard until that date to avoid suspicion. Despite his apprehension about leaving friends and the risk of failure, he successfully reaches New York on the stipulated date. Upon arriving in New York, he is filled with fear, lacking resources and confidantes. A free black man, David Ruggles, takes Douglass in and suggests he move to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to work as a caulker. Douglas then calls his fiancée, Anna Murray, to New York and they marry. In New Bedford, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Johnson assist Douglass and Anna, paying their debts and helping Douglass select a new surname, "Douglass." Douglass is astonished by New Bedford's prosperous industries, hardworking laborers, and politically savvy black community, far removed from his preconceptions of a poverty-stricken North. For three years, Douglass performs various dock jobs in New Bedford. He then subscribes to the Liberator, an abolitionist magazine. In 1841, he attends an antislavery conference in Nantucket, where he successfully overcomes his initial apprehensions and speaks on his experiences as a slave, marking his commitment to fight against slavery.
appendix
Douglass dedicates the appendix to distinctly express his views on religion. He argues that there is a significant disparity between the original, serene Christianity as preached by Christ and the distorted version of Christianity prevalent in slaveholding America. He brings to light the double standards of Southern "Christians" who engage in whipping slaves, exploiting female slaves, and pocketing the earnings of slaves, all the while claiming to uphold the Christian values of modesty, purity, and morality. Douglass insinuates that the Southern church and the slave owners mutually benefit each other, with the church willingly accepting money earned through slavery. To strengthen his point, Douglass cites the Bible, an abolitionist verse, and a satirical rendition of a Southern hymn.
