About William Lloyd Garrison

William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1872) was a "prominent American abolitionist, journalist, and social reformer. He is best known as the editor of the radical abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator, and as one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society."

He knew Frederick Douglass well, and wrote the preface for his autobiography (also in your edition of the book).

For more information, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lloyd_Garrison

About Wendell Phillips

Wendell Phillips (1811-1862) was an "exceptional orator and agitator, advocate and lawyer, writer and debater" who "used these skills to support women's, Native American's, and labor workers' rights, and most influentially, the abolitionist movement."

He knew both Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, and wrote a letter in fierce support of Douglass' autobiography, which is in your edition of the book.

For more information, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendell_Phillips

Response Question :: Songs of Slavery (1-41)

In Chapter 2, Douglass describes how slave songs would often include a line talking about "The Great House Farm."

"I'm going away to to the Great House Farm / O, yea! O, yea! O!"

What do you think "the Great House Farm" represents, and why? How do you think this shows the "anguish" and "sadness" of the slaves? Why did they choose to sing about it?

Response Question :: Childhood (1-41)

In Chapter 1, We learn about how Douglass had anything but a "normal" childhood. Which fact or experience from his early childhood do you find the most cruel, and why? Be specific!

Response Question :: Sharing His Story (1-41)

In his opening letter, Wendell Phillips describes his first meetings with Douglass. When Douglass tried to read his story to Phillips, what reaction does Phillips have? Why do you think Douglass is so determined to share his life story? If you had been a slave, would you have tried to share your story so openly?

Response Queston :: The "school" of Slavery (1-41)

In the preface of the book, William Lloyd Garrison quotes Douglass saying that "slavery was a poor school for the human intellect and heart." What does Douglass mean by this? And what does Garrison think of Douglass' "intellect" and his "heart"? Give some specific examples from the letter showing Garrison's opinion of Douglass.