Answer: to describe how the enslaved were treated as animals.
Explanation:
Obviously, sheep are animals. The reasoning behind this answer, however, is not so shallow. From this passage, I do not see that Douglas’s own experience is included or that the number of his grandmother’s children is emphasized. This passage is rather short, however, so these details may be discussed elsewhere.
The slaves were first equated to sheep. Sheep are often considered unintelligent. They are herded and forced to change fields by a Shepard. They are a type of livestock and may be sold at auction. The slaves were similarly treated as having low intelligence and no valid emotions, forced where their masters willed. They are treated as livestock to be bought, sold, or slaughtered. Thus, this places emphasis on their treatment as animals and the ignorance of their humanity.
