Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Study Questions

1. There are a variety of briefer slave narratives posted on the internet. Find three narratives on-line and compare and contrast those individuals' experiences with that of Frederick Douglass. How did variations in geographic location, gender, and family structure affect the lives of enslaved African-Americans? Slave narratives are posted at the following sites:
   • Third Person, First Person: Slave Voices preserved at Duke University
   • Been Here So Long: Selections from the WPA American Slave Narratives
   • American Slave Narratives
2. Read The Confessions of Nat Turner. Compare and contrast Douglass and Turner's early life experiences and the methods they adopted in opposition to African-American slavery in the United States.

Internet Resources

American Visionaries: Frederick Douglass

A National Park Service on-line exhibit featuring items owned by Frederick Douglass.

Frederick Douglass Portrait

A brief biography of Douglass, followed by links to on-line versions of Douglass's most important speeches, books, and articles.

Douglass National Historic Site

National Park Site "dedicated to preserving the legacy of the most famous African American of the 19th Century."

Return to Study Guide Directory