Question

What is the central idea in the excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass? Use specific examples from the beginning, middle, and end of the reading to support your response. Remember to use your annotations from the guided reading to help you.
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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Answer 1

Answer:

Slavery

Explanation:

The central idea of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is slavery. In this autobiography, Frederick sought to show and persuade his readers that slavery was wrong. Himself having been exposed to slavery, he desired that all would see the menace called slavery for what it really is.

In the preface (the beginning), while addressing a large number of people, Frederick said "After apologizing for his ignorance, and reminding the audience that slavery was a poor school for the human intellect and heart, he proceeded to narrate some of the facts in his own history as a slave, and in the course of his speech gave utterance to many noble thoughts and thrilling reflections". He said this to point the people's attention to the pettiness of slavery as well as its effect which kept slaves in ignorance and illiteracy. Slavery kept it's victims in both physical and mental bondage.

In chapter 5 (the middle), Frederick reminiscing upon his life would say to the reader "I look upon my departure from Colonel Lloyd's plantation as one of the most interesting events of my life. It is possible, and even quite probable, that but for the mere circumstance of being removed from that plantation to Baltimore, I should have to-day, instead of being here seated by my own table, in the enjoyment of freedom and the happiness of home, writing this Narrative, been confined in the galling chains of slavery". The significance of this is that, Frederick's physical freedom gave him the opportunity to free himself from mental slavery (and consequently, he was able to get himself educated)  

In chapter 11 (the ending), after having gained his freedom, Frederick came across a magazine "Liberator" which spoke vehemently against slavery. Although, Frederick already knew the tyranny of slavery to be wrong (having seen it firsthand), this magazine would eventually propel him not just to seek to add value to himself but much more, to take a proactive stand against slavery. As a result of his consistent reading of this material, Frederick joined the abolitionist movement to totally eradicate & rid the land of slavery altogether. This is made evident by this statement "In about four months after I went to New Bedford, there came a young man to me, and inquired if I did not wish to take the "Liberator." I told him I did; but, just having made my escape from slavery, I remarked that I was unable to pay for it then. I, however, finally became a subscriber to it. The paper came, and I read it from week to week with such feelings as it would be quite idle for me to attempt to describe. The paper became my meat and my drink. My soul was set all on fire. Its sympathy for my brethren in bonds--its scathing denunciations of slaveholders--its faithful exposures of slavery--and its powerful attacks upon the upholders of the institution--sent a thrill of joy through my soul, such as I had never felt before! I had not long been a reader of the "Liberator," before I got a pretty correct idea of the principles, measures and spirit of the anti-slavery reform. I took right hold of the cause"?

We can see this central theme/idea (slavery) run throughout the entire book.