RCT 3 Excerpt: Chapter 11 Narrative of Frederick Douglass
I found employment, the third day after my arrival, in stowing a sloop with a load of oil. It was new, dirty, and hard work for me; but I went at it with a glad heart and a willing hand. I was now my own master. It was a happy moment, the rapture of which can be understood only by those who have been slaves. It was the first work, the reward of which was to be entirely my own. There was no Master Hugh standing ready, the moment I earned the money, to rob me of it. I worked that day with a
pleasure I had never before experienced. I was at work for myself and newly-married wife. It was to me
the starting point of a new existence. When I got through with that job, I went in pursuit of a job of
calking; but such was the strength of prejudice against color, among the white calkers, that they refused to work with me, and of course I could get no employment. * (I am told that colored persons
can now get employment at calking in New Bedford -a result of anti-slavery effort.) Finding my trade of no immediate benefit, I threw off my calking habiliments, and prepared myself to do any kind of
work I could get to do. Mr. Johnson kindly let me have his wood-horse and saw, and I very soon found
myself a plenty of work. There was no work too hard -none too dirty. I was ready to saw wood, shovel
coal, carry wood, sweep the chimney, or roll oil casks, -all of which I did for nearly three years in New
Bedford. before I became known to the antislavery world.
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. I could do but
little; but what I could, I did with a joyful heart, and never felt happier than when in an anti-slavery meeting. I seldom had much to say at the meetings, because what I wanted to say was said so much better by others. But, while attending an antislavery convention at Nantucket, on the 11th of August,
1841, I felt strongly moved to speak, and was at the same time much urged to do so by Mr. William C.
Coffin, a gentleman who had heard me speak in the colored people's meeting at New Bedford. It was a
severe cross, and I took it up reluctantly. The truth was, I felt myself a slave, and the idea of speaking
to white people weighed me down. I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and
said what I desired with considerable ease. From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading
the cause of my brethren -with what success, and with what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide.
RCT 3 Excerpt: Chapter 11 Narrative of Frederick Douglass
How does Douglass use rhetoric to reveal his views on freedom?
Using the three rhetorical appeals, explain how Douglass argues for the abolition of slavery.
Use evidence from the text to support your answer
Restate the question
Answer the question
-topic sentence
-cite evidence of each: ethos /pathos/logos
-explain your answer
-Summarize your answer in a conclusion sentence.
RCT 3 Excerpt: Chapter 11 Narrative of Frederick Douglass
I found employment, the third day after my arrival, in stowing a sloop with a load of oil. It was new, dirty, and hard work for me; but I went at it with a glad heart and a willing hand. I was now my own master. It was a happy moment, the rapture of which can be understood only by those who have been slaves. It was the first work, the reward of which was to be entirely my own. There was no Master Hugh standing ready, the moment I earned the money, to rob me of it. I worked that day with a
pleasure I had never before experienced. I was at work for myself and newly-married wife. It was to me
the starting point of a new existence. When I got through with that job, I went in pursuit of a job of
calking; but such was the strength of prejudice against color, among the white calkers, that they refused to work with me, and of course I could get no employment. * (I am told that colored persons
can now get employment at calking in New Bedford -a result of anti-slavery effort.) Finding my trade of no immediate benefit, I threw off my calking habiliments, and prepared myself to do any kind of
work I could get to do. Mr. Johnson kindly let me have his wood-horse and saw, and I very soon found
myself a plenty of work. There was no work too hard -none too dirty. I was ready to saw wood, shovel
coal, carry wood, sweep the chimney, or roll oil casks, -all of which I did for nearly three years in New
Bedford. before I became known to the antislavery world.
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. I could do but
little; but what I could, I did with a joyful heart, and never felt happier than when in an anti-slavery meeting. I seldom had much to say at the meetings, because what I wanted to say was said so much better by others. But, while attending an antislavery convention at Nantucket, on the 11th of August,
1841, I felt strongly moved to speak, and was at the same time much urged to do so by Mr. William C.
Coffin, a gentleman who had heard me speak in the colored people's meeting at New Bedford. It was a
severe cross, and I took it up reluctantly. The truth was, I felt myself a slave, and the idea of speaking
to white people weighed me down. I spoke but a few moments, when I felt a degree of freedom, and
said what I desired with considerable ease. From that time until now, I have been engaged in pleading
the cause of my brethren -with what success, and with what devotion, I leave those acquainted with my labors to decide.
RCT 3 Excerpt: Chapter 11 Narrative of Frederick Douglass
How does Douglass use rhetoric to reveal his views on freedom?
Using the three rhetorical appeals, explain how Douglass argues for the abolition of slavery.
Use evidence from the text to support your answer
Restate the question
Answer the question
-topic sentence
-cite evidence of each: ethos /pathos/logos
-explain your answer
-Summarize your answer in a conclusion sentence.