Frederick Douglass -- Discussion Questions -- Part One

1.) Have you found the first half of his autobiography interesting so far?  Why or why not?

2.) How does Douglass present himself in his narrative?  In other words, what kind of “persona” does he create for himself?

3.) What do you consider to be the “key” passages so far in the text?  (Give page numbers!)  Why are these passages so significant?

4.) What “pro-slavery” arguments does Douglass refer to or hint at in his narrative?  And, how does he “counter” the various pro-slavery arguments?

5.) What “themes” (messages, lessons, ideas, concepts) or “motifs” (recurrent thematic elements in an artistic or literary work) are emerging as the narrative progresses?

6.) Discuss Douglass’ imagery, particularly his use of animal imagery.

7.) From the first half of the narrative, can you begin to determine how can we account for the popularity of slave narratives in general and the popularity of Douglass’ narrative in particular?

8.) What other observations or questions do you have about the first half of Douglass’ narrative?