Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass--Douglass
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Reading and Writing Workshop
Freedom and Voice: A Workshop on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Session 1: Introduction to Frederick Douglass and Slave Narratives
Session 2: Early Life and the Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery
Session 3: Literacy and Power
Session 4: Resistance and Defiance
Session 5: The Journey to Freedom
Session 6: Douglass as Orator and Reformer
Session 7: Writing Workshop – Personal Narrative and Social Justice
Session 8: Final Reflection and Portfolio Presentation
Session 1: Introduction to Frederick Douglass and Slave Narratives
- Objective: Understand the historical and literary context of slave narratives.
- Reading:
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Preface by William Lloyd Garrison and Letter by Wendell Phillips
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23-h.htm - Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs (selected passages)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11030/11030-h/11030-h.htm
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Preface by William Lloyd Garrison and Letter by Wendell Phillips
- Writing Prompt: How do the prefatory materials frame Douglass’s credibility and purpose? Compare this with Harriet Jacobs’ tone and intention.
Session 2: Early Life and the Dehumanizing Effects of Slavery
- Objective: Analyze Douglass’s depiction of childhood and the systemic cruelty of slavery.
- Reading:
- Narrative, Chapters I–III
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23-h.htm#chap01 - Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup (Chapter 1 excerpt)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/45631/45631-h/45631-h.htm#Page_1
- Narrative, Chapters I–III
- Writing Prompt: What role does separation from family play in dehumanizing enslaved people in both narratives?
Session 3: Literacy and Power
- Objective: Explore the connection between literacy and freedom in Douglass’s life.
- Reading:
- Narrative, Chapters VI–VII
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23-h.htm#chap06 - “Learning to Read” by Malcolm X (The Autobiography of Malcolm X, excerpt)
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/11158/pg11158-images.html (substitute source excerpt here as the full work is not in the public domain)
- Narrative, Chapters VI–VII
- Writing Prompt: Compare Douglass’s and Malcolm X’s experiences with self-education. What role does literacy play in their empowerment?
Session 4: Resistance and Defiance
- Objective: Examine how Douglass represents physical and mental resistance to slavery.
- Reading:
- Narrative, Chapters IX–X
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23-h.htm#chap09 - The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, selected chapters
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/15399/15399-h/15399-h.htm
- Narrative, Chapters IX–X
- Writing Prompt: How do acts of resistance—both subtle and overt—define the enslaved person’s humanity in these narratives?
Session 5: The Journey to Freedom
- Objective: Reflect on the narrative structure and symbolic importance of escape.
- Reading:
- Narrative, Chapters XI–Appendix
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23-h.htm#chap11 - Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington (Chapter 1)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2376/2376-h/2376-h.htm
- Narrative, Chapters XI–Appendix
- Writing Prompt: How is freedom defined and described by Douglass? How does it compare to Washington’s account of emancipation?
Session 6: Douglass as Orator and Reformer
- Objective: Analyze Douglass’s use of rhetoric in advocating abolition.
- Reading:
- Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16358/16358-h/16358-h.htm - Narrative, Appendix
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23/23-h/23-h.htm#appendix
- Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
- Writing Prompt: How does Douglass shift his voice from autobiography to public oratory? Analyze his rhetorical strategies and their effect.
Session 7: Writing Workshop – Personal Narrative and Social Justice
- Objective: Develop students' own narratives reflecting on identity, injustice, and resistance.
- Activity:
Write a personal narrative in the style of Douglass that reflects a moment of realization, resistance, or transformation related to identity, freedom, or justice.
Session 8: Final Reflection and Portfolio Presentation
- Objective: Synthesize learning and showcase writing.
- Activity:
Revise and compile selected writing pieces into a digital or print portfolio. Include a reflection essay connecting Douglass’s narrative to contemporary issues of freedom and oppression.