Response Question: "A Degree of Freedom"

At the very end of the book, Douglass describes that he began to feel "a degree of freedom" when he startred to speak publicly in front of white audiences. Why did this act have this effect (considering he was already a "free man"?)

Response Question: hidden path to freedom (103-end)

At the beginning of Chapter IX, Douglass chooses not to give the full details of his successful escape from slavery. Why doesn't he give the full details of his escape? What is his opinion of people who do? Most importantly: do you agre with his decision to withhold information? Why or why not?

The Lady of the Lake

According to Wikipedia,

"The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, first published in 1810. Set in the Trossachs region of Scotland, it comprises six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day.[1] The poem has three main plots: the contest among three men, Roderick Dhu, James Fitz-James, and Malcolm Graeme, to win the love of Ellen Douglas; the feud and reconciliation of King James V of Scotland and James Douglas; and a war between the lowland Scots (led by James V) and the highland clans (led by Roderick Dhu of Clan Alpine). The poem was tremendously influential in the nineteenth century, and did much to inspire the Highland Revival. By the late twentieth century, however, the poem was virtually forgotten.
It shares its name with the Arthurian character the Lady of the Lake, but other allusions to the legend are scant."

This is not a response question, but make sure you know why I am posting this material!

Response Question: Loneliness (103-124)

On page 109, Douglass describes an overwhelming sense of loneliness once he is living in a free state. What are some of the reasons he would feel this way? What advice would you give Douglass -- or any recently freed slave -- to overcome such loneliness?

Respone Question: the "turning point" (69-103)

Douglass describes his battle with Mr. Covey as the "turning point" in his life as a slave. How does the fight transform Douglass' thinking?

Have you ever been through a life-changing experience like this? What happened, and how were you different afterwards?

Response Question: Two Masters (69-103)

In this section of the book, Douglass tells us about two masters he has at different points -- Mr. Covey and Mr. Freeman. Look back at his descriptions of the two men. How do they compare or contrast? Give one example of Douglass' experiences with each master.

Response Question: Religious slaveholders (41-69)

In Chapter 9, Douglass becomes the property of Captain Auld. Douglass hopes the man's religious devotion will make him kind to his slaves, but it seems to have the opposite effect. How does Captain Auld justify his cruelty towards his slaves? Give a specific example.

In America today, it is unlikely that any Christian would also support slavery. How did Captain Auld -- and many Christian slaveholders -- do this in the past?

Response Question: The power of literacy (41-69)

In Chapter 6, Douglass' master states the following:

"Learning will spoil the best nigger in the world... If you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there will be no keeping him... It would make him discontented and unhappy."

What does this quote mean, and why is it true? Give a specific example of Douglass' quest to become literate, and how that changed his view of the world (and his own life in slavery).

Response Question: A lack of justice (41-69)

In Chapter 4, Douglass writes about several situations where masters killed their slaves but never faced criminal prosecution. Describe one of these situations. Why wouldn't arresting or trying these cruel masters have made a difference? What can we infer about a society that wouldn't hold white citizens accountable for what they did to their black slaves?