Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.To use his own words, further, [Mr. Auld] said, "If you give him an inch, he will take an ell. He should know nothing but to obey, to do as he is told to do. Now," said he, "if you teach [him] (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value.
Read the paragraph below.Jonas entered the gym and waved to Fiona, his physical therapist. With her guidance, he walked across the floor with a walker, gently putting weight on his injured leg. Then he sat on the bench and lifted the weight she recommended. On the final repetition, he gritted his teeth in discomfort. Finally, he allowed her to demonstrate two new stretching exercises that would restore his flexibility. He tried each one dutifully and assured her that he would perform them every night.
Read the paragraph below.The extracurricular activities my father proposed failed to intrigue me. The volleyball club at the community center boasts of competitive tournaments, and the basketball clinic at the high school describes intense training drills. Though these would offer physical outlets, exercise is not my top priority because I already play soccer on the weekends. I countered with my own suggestions: a robotics class or a math club.
Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.I am strongly tempted to give the names of two or three of those little boys, as a testimonial of the gratitude and affection I bear them; but prudence forbids;--not that it would injure me, but it might embarrass them; for it is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country.
Read the paragraph below.Soon after the moving truck departed, I made way next door to greet the new neighbors. A boy was playing in the yard, and I greeted him and introduced myself. In response, the boy ducked his head and mumbled an inaudible reply. Though he smiled, he quickly retreated toward his mother on the porch. When I said, "Welcome to the neighborhood,” his cheeks turned pink, and he disappeared through the open front door.
Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.[Mrs. Auld] had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness. The first step in her downward course was in her ceasing to instruct me.
Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.I used to talk this matter of slavery over with them. I would sometimes say to them, I wished I could be as free as they would be when they got to be men. "You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life! Have not I as good a right to be free as you have?" These words used to trouble them; they would express for me the liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by which I might be free.
Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.[Mrs. Auld] had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these heavenly qualities. Under its influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamblike disposition gave way to one of tiger-like fierceness. The first step in her downward course was in her ceasing to instruct me.
Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.I could not approach her as I was accustomed to approach other white ladies. My early instruction was all out of place. The crouching servility, usually so acceptable a quality in a slave, did not answer when manifested toward her. Her favor was not gained by it; she seemed to be disturbed by it. She did not deem it impudent or unmannerly for a slave to look her in the face. The meanest slave was put fully at ease in her presence . . .
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