Question

Which of the following statements best explains how Douglass uses objectivity in this passage to convey his perspective? A. He avoids bias by specifying the seasons without actually mentioning the temperature. B. He uses pathos by referring to his hunger, which appeals to the reader's emotions. C. He simply lists the things that the author did not have, thus avoiding sentimentality. D. He uses formal word choices, such as "suffered much," to establish his credibility.

Answer 1

The correct answer is C) He simply lists the things that the author did not have, thus avoiding sentimentality. In his 1845-memoir Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Frederick Douglass narrates the events during his time in Massachusetts. Douglas avoids the use of pathos (emotion) or some emotions that can bias his story. Unlike other 19th Century-narratives about slavery like Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Twelve Years a Slave, Douglas does not endow his story with a deep emotional charge.